Nomads in Ancient Egypt and Nubia

Nomads were a frequent fixture in the ancient landscapes of Northeast Africa and the Nile basin. Maligned by ancient riverine cultures and ignored by many historians, the nomads of ancient Egypt and Nubia comprise diverse groups of people for whom the desert was their home and herding was a way of life. This Element traces the lives of different ancient nomadic groups across Egypt and Sudan, from the Medjay to the Libyans, from Blemmyes to Saracens. Sketching out approaches from texts and archaeology, this synthesis explores issues related to nomads' mobility, social organisation and their complex relationship with urban states. This Element demonstrates that a holistic picture of ancient Northeast Africa and the states of Egypt and Nubia requires a proper appraisal of nomads and their society.