The world of ancient Egypt saw dualities in how people viewed it, both in antiquity and modern day. To many Romans, Egypt not only was a critical source of food as well as architecture and culture, but it also posed a political and cultural threat. Additionally, despite a precedent of hundreds of years of highly developed Egyptian politics and society without Roman rule, many Romans saw native Egyptians as unintelligent, poor, or unhelpful. These xenophobic ideals were manifested in the social structures and cultural and legal restrictions placed upon the Egyptians by Rome following Roman takeover.
Egypt had once been a thriving, independent empire in the beginnings of civilizations, ruled by pharaohs with a distinct set of religious and political beliefs that intertwined to create a unique state. This was all disrupted, however, when they came under control of Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic empire in 332 BCE, and later by Ptolemy and the Ptolemaic empire (Fildes and Fletcher 1). Finally in 30 BCE, following the death of Cleopatra VII, Egypt fell to Roman control. (Wasson 1). Unfortunately, Egypt suffered greatly under both Ptolemaic and Roman conquests. When Rome took over, the empire implemented a number of legal and social structures onto the new Egyptian empire that changed not only the political but also cultural settings of the already long …show more content…
Luckily, history seems to side with the Egyptians, as history often portrays the unique cultural and intellectual elements of Egypt - everything from pyramids and hieroglyphics to the elegant dresses of pharaohs - rather than Rome’s poor perspectives on the thriving society. Ultimately, this juxtaposition in fact versus perspective can demonstrate that a fear of “the other” can overshadow and diminish the way societies view each
Egypt had once been a thriving, independent empire in the beginnings of civilizations, ruled by pharaohs with a distinct set of religious and political beliefs that intertwined to create a unique state. This was all disrupted, however, when they came under control of Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic empire in 332 BCE, and later by Ptolemy and the Ptolemaic empire (Fildes and Fletcher 1). Finally in 30 BCE, following the death of Cleopatra VII, Egypt fell to Roman control. (Wasson 1). Unfortunately, Egypt suffered greatly under both Ptolemaic and Roman conquests. When Rome took over, the empire implemented a number of legal and social structures onto the new Egyptian empire that changed not only the political but also cultural settings of the already long …show more content…
Luckily, history seems to side with the Egyptians, as history often portrays the unique cultural and intellectual elements of Egypt - everything from pyramids and hieroglyphics to the elegant dresses of pharaohs - rather than Rome’s poor perspectives on the thriving society. Ultimately, this juxtaposition in fact versus perspective can demonstrate that a fear of “the other” can overshadow and diminish the way societies view each