Kandake of Nubia

Born: c. 4th century BC

Known for: Exercised independent authority and commanded armies.

Died: c. 4th century AD

Allegiance: Kingdom of Kush (Nubia), centered at Napata and later Meroë

Conflicts: Wars against Roman Egypt (notably under Kandake Amanirenas, c. 25–22 BCE)

Kandake, kadake or kentake (Meroitic: 𐦲𐦷𐦲𐦡, romanized: kdke), often Latinised as Candace (Ancient Greek: Κανδάκη, romanized: Kandákē), was one Meroitic term for a queen or queen mother of Kingdom of Kush. It is attested for six or seven women. Some were rulers, while others were most likely just wives of a king. In some cases, she may have been sister or close female relative of the king of Kush, she also could be the queen mother. She sometimes had her own court, possibly acted as a landholder and held a secular role as regent until her son came of age. A kandake who ruled in her own right bore in addition the title qore, the same title carried by male rulers. Contemporary Greek and Roman sources treated it, incorrectly, as a name. The name Candace is derived from the way the word is used in the New Testament (Acts 8:27).