Travels in Upper and Lower Egypt
In Company with Several Divisions of the French Army, during the Campaigns of General Bonaparte in that Country

A lively, illustrated three-volume account, published in translation in 1803, of experiences in Egypt, by a savant travelling with Napoleon's army.

Vivant Denon (Author), Arthur Aikin (Translated by)

9781108080200, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 April 2015

444 pages, 17 b/w illus. 1 map
21.6 x 14 x 2.5 cm, 0.56 kg

Napoleon's military expedition to Egypt in 1798 famously included various scientists and savants, among whom was the author of this three-volume work, published in French in 1802 and in English in 1803. Vivant Denon (1747–1825) was a dilettante and diplomat under the Ancien Régime, but survived the Revolution thanks to the patronage of the painter David, and met Napoleon through the salon of Josephine de Beauharnais. He accompanied the army, excavating and sketching, sometimes even during battles. The publication of this lively, illustrated account is regarded as the chief stimulus for the so-called 'Egyptian Revival' style of architecture, interior design and even costume. Volume 1 describes the voyage to Egypt via Malta, the storming of Alexandria, exploration of the Delta, and travel down the Nile to Cairo and the Pyramids. The combination of archaeological observations, notes on the modern Egyptians, and descriptions of warfare makes for a fascinating read.

Preface
1. The author embarks at Toulon
2. Arrival of the fleet at Malta - attack on the town and capitulation
3. Storming of Alexandria
4. March from Alexandria to the interior of the country
5. The British fleet descried, and naval battle of Aboukir
6. Anniversary feast on the birth of Mahomet
7. The author enters the Delta
8. Voyage from Rosetta up the Nile to Cairo
9. Mummies of the ibis in the vaults of Saccara, and conjectures concerning that bird
10. Desaix returns to Cairo for reinforcements.

Subject Areas: Archaeology by period / region [HDD]