The Long Route to Egypt From Saint Louis to Bonaparte

Abstract

Saint Louis’ failed crusade to Egypt has epitomized for centuries the high risks of conquering Egypt. Leibniz’s suggestion to the Sun King to conquer Egypt went unheeded. The key strategic value of Egypt for French interests reemerged in the course of the XVIII Century in several policy papers ignored by French diplomacy, which kept to the alliance with the Ottoman Empire. Only after the Revolution, the business interests of a merchant, the new colonial policy of a Foreign Minister and the ambition of a young General combined into launching the Egyptian expedition.