Napoleon in Egypt

In the book Napoleon in Egypt, the story of the French leader is told from the point of view of an Arab scholar, Shaykh Al-Jabarti. The book not only tells the history of Napoleon's visit to Egypt in 1798 but also offers a contrast and analysis of the differences between the French and the Arabs of the area, cultural differences which would be important in later history and which are still of import today.

At the time, Egypt was still part of the Ottoman Empire, and Mamluk military households ruled the country and had since 1517. Napoleon defeated the Mamluk forces in 1798 just outside Cairo, and this shocked the Muslim community and created the situation and the conflicts that are reported by Al-Jabarti in this book. In the opening chapter, the imminent arrival of the French is clearly of great importance to Al-Jabarti, for he keeps hearing that the French are nearing and reports it each day, as if discussing an impending doom. He is at the same time hopeful that the French will be the friends of the Muslims that they have claimed to be. He finds that the French have a lengthy agenda related to punishing those seen as enemies and raising taxes in order to acquire funding, with the assistance of the Shaykhs. Al-Jabarti also finds that the French do not honor certain customs or attitudes prevalent among the Muslim population, though war may have something to do with some of their actions. The battle for Cairo is one such instance:

Related Essays

Napoleon .... p. 11). When Napoleon invaded Egypt, he took scholars along, showing his commitment to Enlightenment principles. He was defeated .... (1237 5 )

Napoleon Bonaparte .... p. 11). When Napoleon invaded Egypt, he took scholars along, showing his commitment to Enlightenment principles. He was defeated .... (1237 5 )

Napoleon's Egyptian Campaigns Much of the confusion about the ef .... Napoleon and other Frenchmen also thought that the Ottomans would appreciate having a friendlier France rule Egypt than the rebellious Mamluks (Yapp 50). .... (3548 14 )

Leadership of Julius Caesar and Napoleon .... In Napoleon's case it was his success in Egypt, which gave him the consulate and enabled him to dominate affairs in France. But .... (2124 8 )

Miilitary Career of Napoleon Bonaparte .... Napoleon" (145). The French government had mixed motives in dispatching Napoleon to command the expedition to Egypt. One was to .... (2335 9 )

Category: History - N