Amanirenas, was queen regnant of the Kingdom of Kush from the end of the 1st century to the beginning of the 1st century CE. She is famously known as the queen who resisted the Roman forces expansion into Kush in present-day Sudan, a war that lasted for 3 years. This war was responsible for halting Romans from expanding into the southern border of Africa.

While Amanirenas may have had unique military skills and successes against the Romans, her role as Kandake, or female ruler, was not unusual in the region during that time. At that time for 3,000 years between three Kushite Kingdoms, woman ruled. Amanirenas ruled during the reign of Cleopatra and Mark Antony until they were disposed. The Kingdom of Kush prospered during that time until 30 B.C until Augustus Caesar seized control of Egypt.

Amanirenas ascended to thrown after the death of her husband Teriteqasw in late 25 B.C,. Though Amanirenas' Kingdom profited by trading their gold and other riches with Egypt, the changes in politics were not positive when Roman forces under Augustus seized control of Egypt. On assume leadership of the kingdom, Amanirenas carried out her plan to attack occupying Roman Forces.