Monumental depictions of Amanitore

Scenes located on the west and main wall of the interior of the temple represent the legitimation of Natakamani and Amanitore by the gods Apedemak and Amun while in the presence of their son, Prince Arikankharor.

Conversely, the north front shows the coregents and prince with the solely female deities of Isis, Mut, Hathor, and Satis.

The inclusion of both coregents on the side fronts is important in conveying the concept of male-female dualism of regency in Meroitic culture.

[7] The pylon front of the Temple of Apedemak features representations of Natakamani and Amanitore mirroring each other in victorious poses smiting enemies.

[9] Moreover, located on the outer sides of the pylon is a depiction of Apedemak with the body of a snake, arms of a human, and the head of a lion as he rises from an acanthus plant.

[10] This relief of Apedemak in conjunction with representations of pierced enemies located on the back of the pylon are meant to display the theme of reciprocity between the god and the ruler.

In the left scene of the wall, Apedemak is shown touching Amanitore's elbow, while the king stands behind the god and embraces him.

The relief that features the depiction of Amanitore—which is referred to as the eastern side of the bark stand—shows the queen bare breasted, with her hands upturned towards the sky.

For one, the depiction of Amanitore features her body with full breasts and wide, curvy hips, which contrasted with Egyptian and Napatan representations of royal and divine women, who were traditionally illustrated as being very slim.

This indicates the possibility of there being a specific body ideal in Meroitic culture that denotes a high social status associated with the combination of abundant food and the absence of physical labor.

In Meroitic culture, however, queens were thought to have participated in this ritual as well, as implied by the depiction of their bare breasts in scenes of power such as the one shown on Amanitore's bark stand.

[17] This motif is accompanied by multiple inscriptions on the relief that feature the names of two female deities, Re and Hathor the Great.

Additionally, it again states that Amanitore is the daughter of Re, but names her as the “Mistress of the Two Lands, Merykare.”[19] It's important to note that Merykare (also spelled Merikare) was a Heracleopolitan pharaoh who reigned from 2075 to 2040 BCE.

[21] This motif is accompanied by multiple inscriptions on the relief that feature the names of two female deities, Re and Hathor the Great.

Additionally, it again states that Amanitore is the daughter of Re, but names her as the “Mistress of the Two Lands, Merykare.”[23] It's important to note that Merykare (also spelled Merikare) was a Heracleopolitan pharaoh who reigned from 2075 to 2040 BCE.