THE WEALTH OF THE NILE -- THE CULTURE AND ECONOMY OF ANCIENT EGYPT

Military ventures can be a source of income - as long as one is successful. Egypt was fortunate in this respect until the Late Period, when it came under the domination of foreign powers. What began with relatively benign occupations by the Libyans, Kushites, Assyrians and Persians, became oppressive under the Roman Empire, which exploited its provinces ruthlessly. The attempts of Cleopatra VII to retain independence were unsuccessful and the country fell prey to Octavian. For as long as Rome ruled the Mediterranean, Egypt was little more than its bread basket.

Unlike the much vaunted empire of the New Kingdom, which was mostly a string of subject states in Lower Retenu run by local potentates, the real and lasting conquests lay in the south, in Nubia and Kush. Nubia at least was directly ruled and exploited by the Egyptians. Its importance as supplier of gold, slaves and luxury goods is underlined by the appointment of vice-roys. No other region conquered by Egypt was as closely integrated economically and culturally and retained this affinity for centuries after Egypt's power had declined in the first millennium BCE.

Bravery in battle was rewarded with appointments, decorations in the form of golden necklaces and bracelets, and gifts of land and slaves, part of the booty plundered from vanquished enemies. Tribute was imposed on defeated nations and the 'exchange' of gifts between the pharaohs and the kings of client states was generally in Egypt's favour.

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