The ancient Egyptians presented themselves as superior to all other
people in the world; on temple walls, the pharaoh is shown smiting
foreign enemies - people from Nubia, Libya and the Levant - or crushing
them beneath his chariot. Officially, foreigners represented disorder
and chaos - the opposite of Egypt's perfect land of justice and order.
But despite such imagery, from the beginning of their history, the
Egyptians also enjoyed friendly relations with neighboring cultures;
both Egyptians and foreigners crossed the deserts and seas exchanging
goods gathered from across the known world. They shared knowledge and
technology, and sometimes settled abroad, marrying and acculturating.
Through such interactions, the Egyptians influenced other cultures, and
at the same time were themselves shaped by foreign contacts and external
events.
War & Trade with the Pharaohs explores Egypt's connections with the
wider world over the course of 3,000 years, introducing readers to
ancient diplomacy, travel, trade, warfare, domination, and immigration -
both Egyptians living abroad and foreigners living in Egypt. It covers
military campaigns and trade in periods of strength - including such
important events as the Battle of Qadesh under Ramesses II and
Hatshepsut's trading mission to the mysterious land of Punt - and
Egypt's foreign relations during times of political weakness, when
foreign dynasties ruled parts of the country. From early interactions
with traders on desolate desert tracks, to sunken Mediterranean trading
vessels, the Nubian Kingdom of Kerma, Nile fortresses, the Sea Peoples,
and Persian satraps, there is always a rich story to tell behind Egypt's
foreign relations.
