As early as during the nineteenth dynasty (1306–1224 ) Asian groups
dominated the country (Helck 1977: 116), and soon after the Libyans took
power. They were followed by the Nubians (713–636 ), after whom came
the Assyrians. From 525 to 332 , with a short interruption when the Libyans
usurped power again, the Persians ruled over the country on the Nile. After
the invasion of Egypt by Alexander the Great in 332 , the Ptolemies reigned,
maintaining their own language and culture, so that the ancient Egyptian
culture fell into insignificance. After the defeat of Cleopatra and the victory
of Augustus in 30  Egypt was a Roman, and later a Byzantine, colony.
Becoming Rome’s granary meant for Egypt another era of exploitation
during which the fellaheen suffered under the merciless practices of the tax
collectors and the arbitrariness of the administrators. The Egyptians who had
been Christianized very early by the apostle St Mark were exposed to severe
persecution by the Roman emperors.