UNESCO Ancient Civilizations of Africa (Editor G. Mokhtar)

Ancient Civilizations of Africa
for themselves. From Shanakdekhete onwards we have a series of reigning
queens but beginning with Amanirenas in the firstcentury before our era
there seems to be another development. This was the close association of the
first wife of the king and, perhaps, their eldest son on many of the important
monuments. This suggests some degree of co-regency since the wife who
survived her husband often became the reigning candace. However, this
system did not last for more than three generations and seems to come to
an end after Natakamani, Amenitere and Sherakarer in the firsthalf of the
first century of our era. All this points to the internal development of a local
institution which was not a copy of a foreign practice such as that of the
Ptolemies in Egypt: an example is Cleopatra. Indeed we can observe how
these institutions grew in complexity over the centuries.
This kingship system which developed in Kush had some advantages
over a rigid system of strict direct succession since it eliminated the danger
of an unsuitable successor, whether a minor or an unpopular personality.
The injection of new blood into the royal family was assured by the system
of adoption. The various checks and controls inherent in this system, the
prominence given to the queen-mother and the insistence on rightful
descent ensured the rule of the same royal family. All this may have contributed
to the continuity and stability enjoyed by Napata and Meroe for
such long centuries.
Central and provincial administration
Our knowledge of the structure of the central and provincial administration
is as yet fragmentary. There is a marked absence of records of a biographical
nature about private persons, from which it would be possible
to collect information about titles and offices, their significance and
functions.
At the centre of the administration stood the king, an absolute autocratic
ruler whose word was law. He did not delegate his power to any
person, nor did he share it with anyone. In fact, there is a total absence
of one administrator, such as a High Priest for all the temples, or a vizier
in whose hands some degree of power was concentrated. The royal residence
formed the centre of the administrative system. According to a recent survey
of the evidence 20 it seems that Meroe was the only town which can be
regarded as the royal residence and centre of administration. Piankhi was
rather vague as to his place of residence, while it is obvious that Memphis
was the capital of his immediate successors of the twenty-fifth dynasty of
Egypt. However, Taharqa clearly indicates that he was living among his
royal brothers with his mother. From other inscriptions it is clear that
these royal brothers lived at Meroe. In this respect, it is remarkable that it is
only at Meroe, and in particular at Begrawiya West cemetery, that one finds
20. A. M. Ali Hakem, 1972a, pp. 3off.
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