🍎Bonus Book Review: The Kushite Prince Akinidad & The Roman-Kushite War

*Notice: This book review contains spoilers.

The Kushite Prince Akinidad & The Roman-Kushite War

The Kingdom of Kush in Nubia was a powerful ancient civilization located in modern-day Sudan. The Nubian homeland was just south of Egypt (Kemet) and the two countries shared a long geo-political history. In the 8^th century B.C.E. (744 B.C.E.- 714 B.C.E.), the Nubian King Piye conquered Egypt, established the 25^th dynasty, and ruled as pharaoh. But a lesser known historical fact is the Roman-Kushite War that occurred in 23 B.C.E. and challenged the imperial ambition of Rome.

The Romans desired to extend the reach of their empire southward into the Kingdom of Kush. However, the fight against Rome became a family affair as King Teritecias, Queen Amanirenas, and their son Prince Akinidad would all engage in battle against this foreign foe. The book: The Kushite Prince Akinidad: And The Roman-Kushite War By Clyde Winters (88 pages, 2019, kindle edition) gives more information about Prince Akinidad’s involvement.

The book has four chapters and begins with an introduction to Meroitic script of the ancient Kushite alphabet and language. It provides transliteration and translation of 42 inscriptions found on the Hamadab 1 stela (stone slab). This funerary tablet has inscriptions that refer to acceptance of the soul into the after life, almsgiving, goodness, rebirth, and protection. We then are introduced to shorter inscriptions on stelas that give more details about Crown Prince Akinidad, such as his travels to religious sites and his place in the line of royal succession.

The Roman-Kushite War claimed the life of King (Qor) Teritecias first and then Prince Akinidad would lose his life next. Now, with both her husband and son dead, Queen (Kandake/Candace) Amanirenas would lead the battle against Rome. After years of war, a peace treaty was negotiated between Kush and Rome on the island of Samos. Queen Amanirenas would remain on the throne until her death. But the family affair would continue, as later her sister Queen Amanishaketo, would also have to do battle against Rome. And she would be successful as well.

The author Mr. Clyde Winters writes: “The Meroitic-Kush kingdom would last as long as the western Roman empire did – until the fifth century, when a new kingdom in modern Ethiopia defeated the Meroites” (p. 86). Kindle Edition.

The book has a few photos of Kushite artifacts and includes a reference list, appendix, and endnotes. Overall, it is a good read especially for those with an interest in ancient languages.

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