Page 34 - STOLEN LEGACY By George G. M. James

CHAPTER IV

The Egyptians Educated the Greeks

1. The Effects of the Persian Conquest

A. Immigration restrictions against the Greeks are removed and Egypt is thrown open to Greek
research.

Owing to the practice of piracy, in which the Ionians and Carians were active, the Egyptians
were forced to make immigration laws restricting the immigration of the Greeks and punishing
their infringement by capital punishment, i.e., the sacrifice of the victim. Before the time of
Psammitichus, the Greeks were not allowed to go beyond the coast of Lower Egypt, but during
his reign and that of Amasis, those conditions were modified. For the first time in Egyptian
history Ionians and Carians were employed as Mercenaries in the Egyptian Army (670 B.C.),
interpretation was organized through a body of interpreters, and the Greeks began to gain useful
information concerning the culture of the Egyptians.

In addition to these changes, King Amasis removed the restrictions against the Greeks and
permitted them to enter Egypt and settle in Naucratis. About this same time, i.e., the reign of
Amasis, the Persians, through Cambyses invaded Egypt, and the whole country was thrown open
to the researches of the Greeks.

B. The Genesis of Greek Enlightenment.

The Persian invasion, did not only provide the Greeks with ample research, but stimulated the
creation of prose history in Ionia. Heretofore, the Greeks had little or no accurate knowledge of
Egyptian culture: but their contact with Egypt resulted in the genesis of their enlightenment.
(Ovid Fasti III 338; Herodotus Bk. II p. 113; Plutarch p. 380; Eratosthenes ap Strabo 801–802;
Diogenes Bk. IX 49).

C. Students from Ionia and the Islands of the Aegean visit Egypt for their Education.

Just as in our modern times, countries like the United States, England, and France are attracting
students from all parts of the world, on account of their leadership in culture; so was it in ancient
times, Egypt was supreme in the leadership of civilization, and students from all parts, flocked to
that land, seeking admission into her mysteries or wisdom system.

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Stolen Legacy: Greek Philosophy is Stolen Egyptian Philosophy by George G. M. James
The Journal of Pan African Studies 2009 eBook