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Napoleon s military defeat in Egypt yielded a victory for history
When Napoleon invaded Egypt in 1798, he brought along an army of scholars, whose studies of this ancient culture became the foundation of Egyptology.
By Miguel Ángel Molinero 18 Jan 2021, 15:48 GMT
Jean-Léon Gérôme’s painting “Bonaparte Before the Sphinx” captures Napoleon’s instinct that the glory of ancient Egypt could be harnessed to exalt French power. Hearst Castle, San Simeon, California.
Photograph by AKG/ALBUM
By the end of the 18th century, France wanted to conquer Egypt. At war with Britain, France sought to disrupt its enemy’s dominance of the seas and its trade routes with India; taking control of Egypt would give France a foothold from which to expand in the Mediterranean. An ambitious Corsican general, Napoleon Bonaparte was given command of the mission. Already renowned for his campaigns in Italy, Napoleon led French forces to Egypt in 1798 to fight against the local rulers. Kno
When Napoleon invaded Egypt in 1798, he brought along an 'army' of scholars, whose studies of this ancient culture became the foundation of Egyptology.