Candace
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Candace was the title of ancient African empresses. The title was applied to the female rulers of the Kushite Empire, which covered much of Africa, but had its capital cities along the Nile in what is now the Republic of Sudan. The word candace is a Latinized version of the African word kdke or Kandake or Kendake. The Kushite Empire is also known as Kush, or Cush.
The candaces ruled Kush in an unbroken line for over one thousand years. At an earlier period, men had ruled or shared rule with the candaces. The candaces were commanders-in-chief of the Kushite army and also served as high priestess of Isis. In their capacity as high priestess of Isis, the candaces had spiritual authority well beyond the borders of Kush, extending to wherever Isis was worshipped, especially in Egypt.
Some candaces also had the title of Queen of Sheba. Sheba was the old name of the Kushite city of Meroe. The city of Sheba was so famous that it came to refer to the a later remnant the Kushite empire, which included East Africa and Arabia.
The most famous candace is Amanirena, who led the Kushites armies in a war against the Romans from 29 B.C. to 24 B.C. The Kushites sacked Karnak and destroyed the Roman statues at Philae in response to a Roman invasion of Kush. Following that battle, the prefect Gaius Petronius, leading a force of 10,000 infantry, 800 horsemen and numerous auxiliaries pushed the Kushites back to Pselchis.
The Romans and Kushites, according to Strabo began peace negotiations at Dakka in 24 B.C. However, the negotiations failed, and the Romans pushed deeper into Meroitic-Kushite territory as far as Sara. They also established forts at Qasr Ibrim.
The candace continued to resist the Roman invaders. In 21 B.C., a peace treaty was concluded between Caesar Augustus and the candace's envoys on the Island of Samos. The Kushite envoys presented a bundle of golden arrows to Augustus, along with the message "the Candace sends you these arrows. If you want peace they are a token of her friendship and warmth. If you want war, you are going to need them".
The candaces shared power with another awoman with the title of Gore or Qore. This person was in charge of protocol and managed the royal house, but was not in charge of affairs of state. There were Kushite kings, but they served as assistants to the candaces. The candace was always the head of state and the power in the empire. King Teriteqas was the junior partner on the Kushite throne, and when he died he was replaced by one of Amanirena's sons Akinidad. Akinidad died at Dakka during the war with Rome in 24 B.C.
During the war, the candace Amanirena lost an eye. The Roman governor Gaius Petronius described Amanirena as a woman with a masculine build.
