Enheduanna was not the only Conqueror’s daughter to represent him in his absence. In the Third Intermediate Period, Libyans and Nubians who at last had their revenge for centuries of conflict ruled Egypt, 1065-525 BCE. Daughters, nieces, or sisters of conquerors held a secondary office for women in the Temple of Amun at Karnak in Egypt. The office was designed to assist the pharaoh’s rule in what might be the longest chain of cities in the world––Egypt. They ruled Thebes as their pharaoh brothers were busy at war. Care to guess why the rulers would choose their daughters instead of their sons to share rule?
Maatkare, the chaste daughter of Pinudjem I, a Priest King, combined the roles of God’s Wife and Chief of the Priestesses of Amun, in one title. From Dynasty XXI through XXVI, virginal daughters of the royal house who selected their successor by adoption held the position of Divine Adoratrice. These privileged royal women offered sacrifices, adoration, or reenacted age-old rituals in the Temple of Amun at Karnak. They ruled in the absence of their brother, father, or uncle who sponsored them to the office. With her brother Takelot III, Shepenwepet I shared privileges of rule over Thebes and, like Enheduanna, she maintained the power of Chief Priest. Amerdis I, daughter of Kashta sister of Piye, built her own mortuary monument. Others like Shepenwepet II, daughter of Piye and sister of Taharka built two chapels at the Temple at Karnak and other sacred edifices. Under the Kushite/Nubian kings, the Divine Adoratrices had power equal to the royal governor of Thebes. In Nubia rule by powerful queens was not uncommon.
Nitocris III, daughter of Psamtik I ruled as long as 70 years. Her successor and daughter of Psamtek II, Ankhnesneferibre, reigned 60 years. In 525, the Persians invaded and conquered Egypt. Nitocris II, daughter of the unfortunate Amasis II, reigned until they took over Thebes. With her short rule, the office of Divine Adoratrice was over. On the other hand, with the ruling of the Libyans and the Nubians for six hundred forty years rule by native Egyptians was also over.