Egyptomania was the renewed
interest of Europeans in ancient Egypt during the nineteenth century as a result of
Napoleon's
Egyptian Campaign (1798–1801) and, in particular, as a result of the extensive scientific study of
ancient Egyptian remains and culture inspired by this campaign. In addition to its aesthetic impact on literature, art and architecture, it also played a role in the discussion about
race,
gender and
national identity. Egyptomania is of particular importance to
American culture because of the way in which the example of ancient Egypt served to create a sense of independent
nationhood during the nineteenth century. However, Egypt has had a significant impact on the cultural imagination of all Western Cultures.