Ancient History of Egypt began in 30 BC with the defeat of Egypt by the future Emperor Augustus, and then followed the conquest of Marc Antony and Cleopatra VII, the Ptolemaic Queen during the Battle of Actium. Afterwards, the province of Aegyptus became territory of the Roman Empire that bordered on western Cyrenaica and eastern Arabian provinces. Eventually, Egypt became the major grain producer for the empire.
Under the three prefects appointed by the Roman government important governmental functions were organised. In the first prefect of Gaius Cornelius Gallus, Upper Egypt was brought under the control of the Roman army which created a settlement with the southern frontier region, later abandoned during the Ptolemaic Dynasty. However, with the second prefect, the Red Sea coast of Egypt was brought under the control of Emperor Claudius, and with the third prefect, all the neglected canals were cleared for irrigation by Gaius Petronius. In Egypt, Generals Probus and Domithus Domitianus led victorious revolts that made them into emperors. Roman rule begins with two legions that occupied the province; the Legio II Cyrenaica and the Legio II Traina Fortis. Egypt then prospered and flourished under Roman rule.
The economy of Egypt was centred in agriculture, as they regularly exported a vast quantity of grain, as well as in textile manufacturing such as clothing. Papyrus and paper were also great contributions of Egypt. The volume of trade both internal and external attained its peak. However, a number of devaluations of the currency were major problems because of the inefficiency of the local administration.
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