CHAPTER II

PAST AGES OF CONQUEST

To enter a country without knowing something of

its history is to rob the experience of half its use-

fulness and pleasure. Those who are ignorant of

it see but half what may be seen, and that which

does come before them is imperfectly appreciated.

This must be my excuse for inflicting the following

rough and imperfect summary of the history of many thousand years as it is recounted by the most

eminent authorities.

The history of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan is so

intimately associated with its physical characteristics and geographical position that a foreword of

description is essential to a proper understanding.

As it is known now it is almost entirely an inland

country, bounded on the north by Egypt alone,

against which it imposes formidable defences of

desert by land, and boulder-strewn rapids by river.

On the east its character is more varied, pos-

sessing a frontage on the Red Sea, of inestimable

importance to a country otherwise surrounded by

various states. Following the eastern frontier

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