the Expansion of Ancient Egypt and Its Historical Significance 
The Expansion of Ancient Egypt and Its Historical Significance Introduction The external expansion of Ancient Egypt, traditionally, consisted of two areas: Libya on the north, especially Palestine and Syria; Nubia on the south. What Egypt imposed on Nubia was the colonial rule, while its control of Palestine and Syria was loose. Egypt’s penetration to Nubia and West Asia could be divided into two stages, the Old Kingdom period and the Middle Kingdom period. The contact between Egypt and the region was limited to trade exchanges and sporadic military conflict. However, in the New Kingdom period, because of the increasing of the royal power and the strengthening of the military capabilities, Egypt’s control of Nubia was further strengthened; simultaneously, driven by imperial ambitions, Egypt's attack strategy on West Asia changed from passive to active. In Amenhotep III, Egypt's territorial expansion reached its peak, accompanied with the rise of the Egyptian empire. The Egyptian empire, whether economic, political or military powers have reached an unprecedented peak. Part one: Ancient Egypt’s Expansion over Nubia In B.C.3100, Menes established a unified Egyptian kingdom, and began to implement an active foreign policy. In order to get gold, adamant stones and treasures, the Egyptians and Nubians often traded and fought with each other. In the First Intermediate Period, the trade and military relations between Egypt and Nubia were interrupted for a time; later, the political order was reconstructed, and the royal family re‐emphasized on foreign policy, but its foreign policy was still dominated by trade and military needs. From 1991B.C. to 1962B.C. the Amenemhat I invade Nubia, and traded with the Syrians and the Palestinians. During the first half of the 19th century B.C.,
References: 1) Shaw, Ian. (2000)The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt, New York: Oxford University Press. 2) Kemp, Barry J.(1989)Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of A Civilization, London: Routledge. 3) Brested, J.H.(1962) Ancient Records of Egypt, New York,1962. 4) Lichtheim, M. (1973) Ancient Egyptian Literature, University of California Press, 1973. 5) Weinstein, James M. (1975) ‘Egyptian Relations with Palestine in the Middle Kingdom’, Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, No.217, Feb., Pp.1‐16 6) Redford, Donald B. (1979) ‘A Gate from Karnak and Egyptian Involvement in Western Asia during the Early 18th Dynasty’, Journal of the American Oriental society, Vol88. No.2, Apr.‐Jun., pp.270‐287.