Egypt

The ancient kingdom of the Nile, wealthiest and most powerful realm of the known world.

Overview

Egypt is eternal. While kingdoms rise and fall elsewhere, the Two Lands endure under the divine rule of Pharaoh. The Nile floods, the harvest comes, taxes are collected, and the great monuments stand as they have for a thousand years.

For Canaanite merchants, Egypt represents both opportunity and danger. The kingdom's wealth is staggering—gold from Nubia, grain beyond measure, fine linen, papyrus, and luxury goods. But Egyptian bureaucracy is suffocating, officials are corrupt, and Pharaoh's power extends up the Canaanite coast through military force and diplomatic pressure.

The New Kingdom

Egypt is in its New Kingdom period, ruling an empire that extends from Nubia in the south to northern Canaan. The great pharaohs—Tuthmose, Amenhotep, Ramesses—have built temples, expanded territory, and enriched the priesthood of Amun-Ra at Thebes.

Currently, the kingdom maintains garrisons in Canaan, collects tribute from cities like Ashkelon, and monitors trade along the coast. Egyptian officials and merchants operate throughout the Levant, backed by Pharaoh's authority.

Relations with Canaan

Egypt considers Canaan part of its sphere of influence. Cities pay tribute, provide supplies for military campaigns, and are expected to remain loyal. Egyptian garrisons guard key roads and ports. Governors (often Canaanite locals appointed by Egypt) administer Egyptian interests.

For a port like Ashkelon, this means:

• Tribute payments in goods or silver
• Egyptian officials monitoring trade
• Opportunity to sell goods into Egyptian markets
• Risk of Egyptian military "requisitions"
• Protection from other powers (like the Hittite Empire)

Key Egyptian Cities

The major centers relevant to Levantine trade:

Pelusium - The eastern gateway, border fortress and customs point for all trade entering from Canaan

Pi-Ramesses - New capital in the Delta, center of royal power and administration in the north

Memphis - Ancient capital at the junction of Upper and Lower Egypt, major administrative center

Thebes - Religious capital in the south, home of the great temple of Amun-Ra, far from coastal trade

Trade Goods

Egypt produces and imports:

Exports:

• Grain - Egypt's greatest resource, exported in vast quantities
• Papyrus - Writing material monopoly
• Linen - Finest textiles, from coarse to gossamer-fine
• Gold - From Nubian mines
• Natron - For mummification and industry
• Glass and faience - Egyptian workshops excel

Imports:

• Timber - Egypt lacks good wood, desperate for cedar from Lebanon
• Copper and tin - For bronze, from Cyprus and beyond
• Silver - Egypt has little silver, values it highly
• Wine and olive oil - Levantine specialties
• Purple dye - Phoenician luxury
• Horses - For chariots, from Anatolia and Syria

Egyptian Bureaucracy

Everything in Egypt is regulated, taxed, and documented. Scribes record every transaction. Officials demand bribes. Permits are required for trade, and foreign merchants face intense scrutiny.

A merchant must:

• Register cargo at customs (especially at Pelusium)
• Pay import/export taxes
• Deal with official monopolies on certain goods
• Potentially wait days or weeks for approvals
• Navigate competing officials and their demands

Connections to Egyptian trading houses or officials ease the process considerably. Without them, expect delays, excessive fees, and possible confiscation.

Egyptian Merchants

Egyptian trading houses operate throughout the eastern Mediterranean. They have capital, connections to the palace and temples, and Pharaoh's backing. They can be:

• Competitors - Controlling access to Egyptian markets
• Partners - Providing capital and connections in exchange for shares
• Employers - Hiring foreign ships for specific runs
• Customers - Buying Levantine goods for Egyptian markets

Temple estates (especially of Amun-Ra) also engage in trade, controlling vast resources.

Military Presence

Egypt maintains military strength in Canaan:

• Garrisons at key points
• Chariots - Elite mobile forces
• Archers - Famed Nubian and Egyptian bowmen
• Navy - Nile-focused but can project along coast

For merchants, this means:

• Protection from bandits and raiders on Egyptian-controlled routes
• Risk of military requisition of ships and cargo during campaigns
• Need to navigate military checkpoints
• Potential to supply military operations (profitable but risky)

Religion and Culture

Egyptians consider themselves the civilized center of the world, other peoples as barbarians. Their gods are ancient and powerful, their rituals complex, their language and writing sacred.

Foreign merchants are tolerated but kept at arm's length. Learn some Egyptian courtesy, respect their gods publicly, and don't expect to be treated as equals. The more you can adopt Egyptian manners and language, the better your reception.

Opportunities and Dangers

Opportunities:

• Vast market for imports
• Grain exports to grain-poor regions
• Egyptian goods command premium prices abroad
• Palace and temple contracts (if you can get them)
• Information from the wealthiest, most stable kingdom

Dangers:

• Bureaucratic nightmares
• Confiscation of cargo
• Political instability (rare but devastating)
• Official corruption
• Military requisitions
• Cultural arrogance and discrimination

For an Ashkelon crew, Egypt is the giant next door—source of wealth, wielder of power, and constant presence in daily life.