Aspelta was a ruler of the kingdom of Kush. More is known about him and his reign than most of the rulers of Kush. He left several stelae carved with accounts of his reign.
Family
Aspelta was the son of Senkamanisken and Queen Nasalsa. Aspelta was the brother and successor of Anlamani. The King is thought to have had several wives, including Henuttakhebit, Weqemale, Asata, Artaha. he may have also been married to his sister Madiqen. Aspelta used titles based on those of the Egyptian Pharaohs. Horus name: Neferkha Nebty Name: Neferkha Golden Horus Name: Userib Prenomen: Merykare Nomen: Aspelta
Reign
According to relevant inscriptions, Aspelta was selected as ruler by a committee of twenty-four religious and military leaders. He then set out north to Napata to be selected as king by the gods and crowned. Another stele that might date from Aspelta's reign recounts how a group of priests were put to death, likely as punishment for conspiring against the king. In 592 BCE, Kush was invaded by an Egyptian military expedition initiated by Pharaoh Psamtik II perhaps because Aspelta posed a threat to this pharaoh's authority over Upper Egypt, to the south and close to Kush. The invaders sacked Napata, and some historians believe that because of this attack, Aspelta decided to move the Nubian capital to the more secure city ofMeroe.
Tomb
Aspelta's tomb was located at Nuri and is the second largest burial structure here. His tomb was excavated by George A. Reisner in 1916 and many items were discovered within it, most of which are now in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. The palace built by him and his brother was excavated by Reisner in 1920.
Monuments and Items mentioning Aspelta
Aspelta is well attested. A list of items mentioning the King:
Two cartouche-plaques of Aspelta from the West side room Temple A at Kawa.
Fragments of granite stela of Aspelta found in south-east corner of the Court in Temple T at Kawa.
Wall depicting Aspelta,. One scene shows the King offering image of Maat to the ram-headed god Amun-Re and Anukis-Nethy, another shows King before Amun-Re and Mut.
Granite stela. The scene depicts Nastasen and the Queen-Mother Pelkha and similarly Nastasen with Queen Sakhmakh. The text is dated to year 8, and mentions King Aspelta, Harsiotef, Alara and Kambasuden. The stela probably comes from Gebel Barkal.
A shrine dedicated to Aspelta was found at the temple in Sanam.
Stela of Aspelta Possibly from Sanam.
A diorite stela of Khaliut, the Mayor of Kanad, son of Pi'ankhy, was erected by Aspelta. The text mention's the Queen-Mother Nasalsa.
Enthronement-stela, year I of Aspelta with scene at top showing the Queen-Mother Nasalsa, was found at Gebel Barkal.
Adoption-stela from year 3 of Aspelta probably from Sanam. The text records the appointment of Henuttakhebit as priestess of Napata. The King is shown with his mother Queen Nasalsa and Queen Madiqen.
Statue of Aspelta
A fragment of one of the canopic jars of Aspelta was found in Room A of the tomb of Anlamani.
Tomb Nuri 8 belonged to Aspelta. Excavated by Reisner in 1917. Four foundation deposits which include tablets and cups are now spread over several museums. A stela from the chapel was later reused in Tomb Nuri 100. The tomb had three burial chambers and included the sarcophagus of the King. Finds include: Gold and silver vases, inscribed gold vase, Silver-spouted beaker, Gold cylinders, Inscribed alabaster jars, Two canopic jars, Porphyry offering-table.
Two alabaster jars with the name of Aspelta, found in tomb S.44 in the South Cemetery of Meroe
Alabaster vase with name of Aspelta, a faience fragment with cartouche of Aspelta and faience fragment with cartouches of Aspelta
