THE AFRICAN QUEEN WHO OUTSMARTED CLEOPATRA

Queen Amanirenas of Kush shared a similar experience with Cleopatra of Egypt, yet her result was substantially different. Amanirenas and Cleopatra lived around the same period. Amanirenas took the Meroetic throne a few years after Cleopatra died in 30 BC. Both women faced the same threat from the Roman Emperor Augustus. Queen Amanirenas was powerful and politically insightful, however, her encounter with Augustus did not lead to her death nor did it lead to the annexation of her state. Meroe was a Kushite state located in what is today called modern Sudan. After the end of the Kushite empire or the 25th dynasty of Egypt, Amanirenas is believed to have been on the throne of Meroe as early as 25 BC just five years after Cleopatra's death. 

        After Rome took over Egypt, Cornelius the prefect assigned by Augustus claimed a region in lower Nubia, the Romans called it Triakontaschoinos. While the Romans sought absolute control of the region, the Greeks labelled this lower Nubian region a kind of supporter or friend. Kathryn Howley writes that "Rome therefore set the borders of Egypt as far into Nubia as the Ptolemies did. The reality of the situation is somewhat harder to determine, however since the Latin, Greek, and Egyptian hieroglyphic versions of the stela, all use different terminology: while in Latin, the meriotic king is in the subordinate position of tutelan to Gallus- under his protection- the Greek version describes his status as that of proxenia or "public friend". The King at that time was Teriteqas, and Amanirenas ruled alongside him. 

          There was a policy at that time between Meroe and Rome, the Romans were clear about the expansionist policy, they wanted Meroe to be a vassal. If they succeeded, then Rome would conquer Meroe and annex the whole kingdom. However, this was prevented by Meroetic opposition. When Augustus realized the complexity of the situation, he established a new policy. The resistance of Meroe made Augustus reconsider the expansionist policy. Historian, Laszio Torok says that "Meroetic resistance to the re-establishement of Egyptians in the Triakontaschoinos was strong and determined". The Kushites seem to have an agreement with the Greeks that established some level of cooperation in lower Nubia. The Kushite population inhabiting lower Nubia became subject to Roman taxes. The Kushites and the Queen of Meroe objected. When most Roman soldiers left to invade Arabia, Meroe attacked Roman Egypt, carrying off prisoners and the head of an Augustus statue. 

           Patronus, an Egyptian prefect responded quickly and in 25 BC, he defeated the Nubians. Patronus asked the Kushites, their reason for attacking Egypt and they responded that it was because of taxes. King Teriteqas allegedly died on the battlefield, leaving the throne to Queen Amanirenas. In the winter of 25-24 BC, Patronus attempted to conquer the whole Meroe Kingdom, but this fell through. According to historical facts, Patronus's army had to return from the second cataract region (the contested area). The Romans seemed to have had experimental control over Lower Nubia when Queen Amanirenas arrived with her army, instead of a military confrontation both parties agreed to sign a treaty. After the Meroe people had achieved all the things that they had asked for, they were also exempted from taxes imposed by Rome and they also returned most of the land they took from Meroe. 

         Queen Amanirenas unlike Cleopatra was able to secure the sovereignty of her state. This feat would be the main objective of any ruler confronted with mighty enemies. Perhaps she was well-informed of Cleopatra's battle with Augustus and learned from Cleopatra's defeat.