First Contacts With Egypt

Egypt’s location made it possible that other nations would want to come explore, trade valuable materials, and overcome territory with political powers. Egypt is accessible to the north from European nations, and the east from Asian nations, which allowed for the constant interchange of cultures and peoples throughout the ages.

Lapis Lazuli Figurine 7

Asian Contact

Trade is the main reason for Egypt’s contact with Asian nations. As early as 3500 B.C., Egyptians were traveling to Asia, seeking out a precious blue stone called lapis lazuli1. Khesbed is the Egyptian name for this beautiful stone, and could be frequently imported from quarries in the Western Asia country of Badakhshan. There were practical uses for this stone including jewelry, amulets, and figurines2. This not only brought in materials from Asia, but allowed for the exportation of Nile Region goods to West Asian countries. Pottery has been found in Southern Palestine, suggesting that a constant trade network was common as early as 3100 B.C. between those two nations3. Overall, Asian contact impacted the economy of Egypt, by providing sufficient trading partners and materials for the country to thrive off of.

Ottoman Empire control 8

European Contact

By the 16^th Century, Europe had an increasingly powerful role on the Egyptian people. The Ottoman Empire had the first main impact of any European nation within this norther African country. This Turkish kingdom desired to have complete dominion over all European countries, and even wanted to inherit areas farther South and East4. Turkey’s ruler Suleiman 1 conquered pieces of Egypt in 1517 by means of defeating the Mamaluks5, giving them direct access to any cultural and intellectual influences of the Mamaluk people. The main reason that the Ottoman Empire wanted to gain territory was for political means. Rulers wanted to extend the territory and offer security and control to vast numbers of Egyptians. People did find a comfort in the security of the Ottomans, and more of a fear under the rule of the Mamaluks6.

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[1] Shaw, Ian. The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. p. 313

[2] Shaw, Ian. The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. p. 313

[3] Shaw, Ian. The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. p. 314                            

[4] Yapp, Malcolm Edward. "Ottoman Empire." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. October 23, 2015. Accessed April 22, 2016. http://www.britannica.com/place/Ottoman-Empire.

[5] "Ottoman Empire." - New World Encyclopedia. March 5, 2015. Accessed April 22, 2016. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Ottoman_Empire.

[6] Yapp, Malcolm Edward. "Ottoman Empire." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. October 23, 2015. Accessed April 22, 2016. http://www.britannica.com/place/Ottoman-Empire.

[7] Oliveira, Jumera. Lapis Elephant. January 7, 2005.

[8]Anatolia: expansion of the Ottoman Empire, 1300–1699, Map, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online, accessed April 22, 2016, http://www.britannica.com/place/Ottoman-Empire/images-videos/Expansion-of-the-Ottoman-Empire/678