Wilkinson, John Gardner: Topographie of Thebes, and general view of Egypt: being a short account of the principal objects worthy of notice in the valley of the Nile, to the second cataracte and Wadi Samneh, with the Fyoom, Oases and eastern desert, from Sooez to Bertenice (London, 1835)

INTRODUCTION. Xlll

built* at the edge of the desert, were owing to the
fear of hostile aggression; and it is evident that
Egypt had no reason to dread a foreign invader
while she was superior to her enemies in military
power. It was not by the strength or multitude of
strongholds that she was defended against her
neighbours, for Pelusium could never be a sufficient
bulwark against a more potent aggressor; but as
long as she was able to attack and invade " the
countries of the gentiles," f her frontier was pro-
tected, and the secret of her security was the extent
of her foreign possessions. And the force, disci-
pline, and number of her armies, and the weakness
of other states, afterwards powerful, but as yet in
embryo, were ample guarantees for the safety of
her own territory, and facilitated her invasions and
successes in the East.

Assyria was, indeed, a notable exception, with
similar and even greater advantages than Egypt; and
her means and resources had already been developed
under the rule of Ninus and of Semiramis. But
the successors of Ninyas neglected the advantages
cherished by the founders of that monarchy, and

* Vide pp. 367, 368.

t A name applied by the Egyptians, as well as the Jews, to all
foreign people. Shemmo seems to have been used by them for
stranger and captive, as hostis by the Romans for stranger and
enemy.