382 
SABACO. 
by lions, carneleopards, apes, and elephants, none of 
which are found in Nubia or Dongola,” and “ that the 
battles must have been fought ‘to the south of the 
civilized country of Ancient Merde*.’” 
This intercourse, though for the most part aggressive, 
must have enabled the black races to become ac- 
quainted, at least partially, with the arts and usages of 
their civilized oppressors; and since slaves were also 
included in the list of exactions, some of whom, with 
a natural attachment to home, woiild endeavour to 
escape, and return to their native districts, might thus 
bear with them recollections, of what had obtained 
among their Coptic masters. 
Perhaps the first direct impulse towards a change in 
the negro institutions was exerted by Sabaco, an 
Ethiopian prince, who conquered the Egyptians, and who, 
according to Herodotus, reigned over them fifty years ; 
when, having been advised in a dream to put the 
priests to death — a deed repugnant to his nature — he 
preferred retiring from the government, having held it 
for that period, as predicted by his oracle; and re- 
turned to his native country, where it is probable 
he introduced many Egyptian arts and customs f. The 
most important event, however, for that end, occurred 
in the time of Psamatichus, who ruled over Egypt 
about 600 years B.c. This king having given much 
* Burckhardt’s Travels in Nubia, p. 119. 
•f Vide Wilkinson, 1st Series, vol. i. p. 1S3. 
