Arqamani
Kushite King of Meroë
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Arqamani (also Arkamani or Ergamenes II[2]) was a Kushite King of Meroë dating from the late 3rd to early 2nd century BCE.
| Arqamani | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Arqamani (right) presenting an offering, from the Temple of Dakka | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reign | c. 215—205 BCE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | Arnekhamani | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Successor | Adikhalamani | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Died | c. 205 BCE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Burial | Pyramid at Meroë: Beg. N 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Biography
It is believed that Arqamani ruled in Meroë at the time of the Egyptian revolt of Horwennefer against Ptolemy IV Philopator (reign 221–204 BC).[2] He is attested by a number of inscriptions and reliefs from Kalabsha, Philae and the temple of Dakka.[3] In the latter locality, he usurped some donation inscriptions originally inscribed for Ptolemy IV.[4] He was buried in a pyramid in Meroë now known as Beg. N 7.[5]
Arqamani took an elaborate ancient Egyptian royal titulary (see infobox) which likely reflects his control above the reconquered Lower Nubia and its inhabitants.[2] He also took mortuary names: the mortuary Horus name is Kashy-netjery-kheper, meaning "The Kushite whose coming into being is divine", while his nomen is accompanied by the epithet Ankhdjet-meriaset, meaning "Given life, beloved of Isis", as well as Mkltk Istrk which is written in Meroitic script and whose meaning is not known.[5]
He was sometimes tentatively identified with the king Ergamenes mentioned by Diodorus Siculus but modern scholars now believe that an earlier king with a similar name, Arakamani, is a better candidate for this identification.[6] Nevertheless, Arqamani is sometimes called Ergamenes II.
Temple of Apedemak in Musawwarat es-sufra, built by Arnekhamani
Prince Arka, son of Arnekhamani, and possibly identical with Arqamani.[7]
Pyramid of King Arqamani, Meroe Northern Cemetery
