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About the Book Texts on the history of ancient Egypt span the period from the early prehistoric settlements of the northern Nile valley to the Roman conquest, in 30 BC. The Pharaonic Period dates from the 32nd century BC, when Upper and Lower Egypt were unified, until it fell to Macedonian rule in 332 BC. In 305 BC, Ptolemy, one of Alexander the Great's generals, took the title of Pharaoh, and as Ptolemy I Soter ("Saviour") founded the Ptolemaic dynasty that ruled Egypt for nearly 300 years. Also in this Book The history of Egypt is long and rich, and is described in numerous texts. Among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of Giza is the only one that still stands. Ancient Egyptian civilization began from around 3150 BC under the first pharaoh of the First Dynasty, Narmer. Egyptian rule lasted until the conquest by the Achaemenid Empire in the sixth century BC. In 332 BC, Alexander the Great conquered Egypt, toppling the Achaemenids and establishing the Hellenistic Ptolemaic Kingdom. Roman rule in Egypt (including Byzantine) lasted from 30 BC to 641 AD. After the Muslim conquest, parts of Egypt became provinces of successive Caliphates and other Muslim dynasties. Egypt remained under Ottoman rule until 1867, except for the brief French occupation (1798 to 1801). Egypt fell under British control in 1882 following the Anglo-Egyptian War. The British occupation lasted until the Anglo-Egyptian agreement of 1954. And in this Book Egypt as a country has a verylong history, and is considered one of the cradles of civilisation. Famous for the pyramids at Giza and other ruins throughout the country, Egypt is a country popular with scientists and tourists. The Nile river, the longest river in the world, runs through the country. Most of Egypt is covered in desert, with large sand dunes, but with fertile regions close to the Nile and throughout the Nile river delta.