Queen of the Kushite Kingdom

Queen Kandake Amanirenas would lose an eye in battle, cover it with a patch and continue to lead her armies against the mighty Roman Empire. Kandake or Candace means "Great Woman" and is the equivalent of queen or queen mother of the kingdom of Kush. From what I have been able to learn about this lady she was indeed a great female leader and was the leader of the kingdom of Kush, located in modern-day Sudan and Ethiopia. Born between 60 and 50 B.C. she reigned as the sole ruler of Kush

Queen Amarnirenas would impress even the Roman war generals in defense of her kingdom. The Romans were on a drive to expand their empire and their wealth by demanding tribute from the Egyptians and the Greeks whose lands the Romans had conquered. The problem for the Romans came when they decided to include the African people living in the Kingdom of Kush.

Unlike Cleopatra, the Kushite Queen would not bow gracefully to the Romans' demands, Queen Amanirenas chose to protect her people from paying tribute to the Romans. Rather than give in to the Romans' demands and ultimatums the African queen went to war with Roam. Leading a skillful group of attacks Queen Amanirenas with thousands of her soldiers shocked the Romans by boldly attacking Roman territories.  To show her distaste for the Roman Emperor she and her army dethroned statues of the Roman Emperor Augustus Ceasar (24 B.C.)

Queen Kandake Amanirenas beheaded a statue of the Roman Emperor and buried it under the entryway of her palace so that everyone could walk over her enemy. This disgraceful slap in the face was yet another source of anger for Augustus Caesar to learn that Nehesu will have to walk over the mighty emperor's head to enter the kingdom of Kush. Unable to defeat the Queen of the Kushites and tired of spending large chunks of their newfound riches to eradicate the elusive battle harden queen, the Romans called for a truce.

In the end, a deal would be struck between the Romans and the Kushites that amounted to Queen Amanirenas agreeing not to attack or deface any more Roman settlements or cities and in return, the Romans would not seek tribute from the Kushite Kingdom. The riches of the Kushite Kingdom would stay within the African people's Kingdom thanks to the Kushite Queen, Kandake Amanirenas.