Influences from Outside

War played a major part in the 18^th Dynasty of Egypt which was about 1570 – 1550 BC.  Egypt was a world power during the 18^th Dynasty.  Syria and the Hittites (Turkey) were their greatest opposition.  These empires were able to stop expansion of Egypt during this time. Very little is known of Egypt before this time period and even this period is sketchy.

[1]

Trade was involved; however, it is believed that this was done more for homage to Egypt.  Egypt was the country to impress and keep from invading.  For example the above vessel is believed to be from Cyprus due to its design and is dated to the 1500 BC time period.  It was excavated in 1891 in Egypt.  It is believed that it carried opium; however, this is debated heavily among historians.  Some believe it was wine.

[2]

It is also evident that Egyptians brought gods from Asia back, such as Astarte which came from the Mediterranean seaports.  She came to Egypt and is believed to have been the goddess later considered Isis, the goddess of the skies.

There is evidence that the leaders of Babylon, Assyria and the Near East in diplomatic correspondence.  The biggest event being the marrying of Ramesses II to Mathroneferure the Hittite king’s daughter.  This appears to be the “first known peace treaty of the world”.[3]

So during the dynasty period from 6000 BC to 300 BC, Egypt spent most of this time period fighting with the countries around them with Prussia being the one to conquer them until Alexander the Great came on the scene in 332 BC.  Alexander’s aim was to conquer the known world.  However, the Roman/Byzantine rule changed the style of houses built from horizontal living to now building up. Rome was in Egypt for approximately 670 years. 

When Islam came to Egypt, the people were looking for someone or thing to free them for the oppression of the Roman domination.  Islam brought that promise of freedom.  Islam is still strong in Egypt today.  Although still the Ottoman Empire and the British Empire invaded, in the end, Egypt became a Republic in 1953 and remains so today.  Islam still flourishes as the main religion of the area.

Most of Egyptian movement with the outside countries was for expansion.  Moving into the A.D. period is the first that religion played a major role in why a country invaded, this being Islam.  Trade was apparent in the early B.C. arena; however, this trade was instigated to pay tribute to Egypt to keep them from invading more than for the actual trade of goods.  It was more of a homage until we see the first peace treaty resulting in the marrying of two countries to keep war out.

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[1] http://www.ucl.ac.uk/museums-static/digitalegypt/sedment/archive/uc13427.jpg

[2] http://www.ucl.ac.uk/museums-static/digitalegypt/memphis/archive/uc14392.jpg

[3] Grajetzki, Wolfram and Stephen Quirke. London; University College London. http://www.ucl.ac.uk/museums-static/digitalegypt/foreignrelations/asiank.html