Goddess collection: Amanirenas

Amanirenas (also called Amanirena) was one of the greater Candades, or Queen Mothers, who ruled the Kush Empire of Meroe in northeast Africa (present-day Sudan). She reigned between the 40th and 10th centuries BC. When Roman Emperor Augustus tried to collect taxes from the Kushites in 24 BC, Amanirenas and his son Akinidad led an army of 30,000 to plunder the Roman fort in the Egyptian city of Aswan. They also destroyed the statues of Caesar at Elephantine. Under orders from Augustus, General Petronio retaliated, but encountered strong resistance from Amanirenas and his troops. After more than three years of fighting, the two sides agreed to negotiate a peace treaty. The Romans agreed to return their army to Egypt, withdraw their fort, give the land back to the Kushites, and rescind the tax.00

The courageous warrior queen Amanirenas is remembered for her loyal combat, side-by-side with her own soldiers. She was blinded in one eye after being wounded by a Roman.