Why did Napoleon lead a French military expedition to Egypt in 1798?

Napoleon Bonaparte led the military expedition to Egypt in 1798 primarily as a strategic maneuver against Great Britain during the French Revolutionary wars. After concluding that a direct invasion of England was not feasible due to a lack of naval superiority, Napoleon proposed occupying Egypt to disrupt British trade in the Levant and threaten British interests in India.12

Beyond these military objectives, the expedition was intended to establish a French colony that would undergo "benevolent and progressive" administration, aiming to regenerate the region and restore its ancient prosperity. To support this, the military force was accompanied by a commission of scholars and scientists tasked with investigating the country's condition. Additionally, the Directory supported the plan partly because it provided an opportunity to distance the ambitious young general from the political center in Paris. Finally, Napoleon hoped the occupation would provide France with valuable assets for future peace negotiations.312