The Egyptian Sudan: Its History and Monuments Vol. 2 — E.A. Wallis Budge

Description

A monumental illustrated guide to Sudan's history and ancient monuments by Sir E.A. Wallis Budge, Keeper of Egyptian and Assyrian Antiquities at the British Museum. Based on four expeditions to Sudan between 1897 and 1905, this landmark work covers temples, pyramids, forts and cemeteries of the Nile valley — from the ancient kingdom of Kush to the Ptolemaic period, the rise of Christianity, and the British in contemporary Sudan. Profusely illustrated with photographs, maps and drawings.

Excerpt

After the departure of the priests of Amen from Thebes to seek a refuge for their god and themselves at Napata, the condition of affairs in Egypt passed from bad to worse, and no man was able to make himself truly the king of Egypt. In Upper Egypt disturbances broke out everywhere, and such influence as the priests who remained at Thebes possessed was used by them to thwart every attempt of the kings of the North to increase their power in the South.

In the Delta itself the authority of the Bubastite kings was lightly regarded, and little by little each governor of a large city arrogated to himself the authority of a king. Taking advantage of these circumstances, the native princes of Napata soon made themselves independent rulers of Nubia.