BLACK HISTORY MONTH: PHARAOH TAHARQO OF KUSH

Pharaoh Taharqo of Kush (ruled 690-664 BC) The most powerful African in history known as the Emperor of the World

Taharqo (also called Taharka) ruled Kush and Egypt from 690 until 664 BC. He inherited a huge empire from Qebh-Hor in Asia to the lands south of the Sudanese city of Napata. In addition, Erathosthenes claimed that he conquered a vast territory in North Africa and "penetrated into Europe as far as the 'Pillars of Hercules' (Gibraltar)." Corroborating this, Professor Ivan Van Sertima wrote that: "We [also] have a clear and indisputable reference to this in a [Spanish] manuscript by Florian de Ocampo Cronica General published in 1553. The name of the invading general is given as Tarraco [cf. Taharqo]. He is not only identified as head of the Ethiopian [i.e. Kushite] army. The reference is more specific. It says he was later to become King of Egypt. The name, the period, the historical fact of his generalship and his later kinship in Egypt … all attest to the validity of this reference."

Moreover, there is considerable evidence that the newly founded North African city of Carthage was part of his sphere of influence. Thus, his imperial activities give substance to his boast of being the "Emperor of the World". Of this great man, Professor Rawlinson wrote the following: "The reign of Tirhakah (Tehrak) [sic] during this period appears to have been glorious. He was regarded by Judea as its protector, and exercised a certain influence over all Syria as far as Taurus, Amanus, and the Euphrates. In Africa, he brought into subjection the native tribes of the north coast, carrying his arms, according to some, as far as the Pillars of Hercules. He is exhibited at Medinet-Abou in the dress of a warrior, smiting with a mace ten captive foreign princes. He erected monuments in the Egyptian style at Thebes, Memphis, and Napata. Of all the Ethiopian [i.e. Kushite] sovereigns of Egypt he was undoubtedly the greatest."

One authority described him as "a great builder approaching the scale of Rameses II". According to Vivian Davies and Renée Friedman, twho modern authorities: "Taharqo was a great builder, erecting temples, shrines and statues throughout the Nile Valley, and turning Gebel Barkal into an architectural showpiece, its central temple a southern version of Karnak in Thebes, though on a smaller scale. High up on the great pinnacle he had an inscription recording his dominance carved in hieroglyphs and sheathed in gold - to be visible far and wide, no doubt a spectacular sight as it glistened in the sun." (http://www.whenweruled.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=27)

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