Quote Originally Posted by magnum
How about just removing thier grain resource? They have 2 which adds about 3% pop growth to most of their starting provinces. Bigger populations means more trade. They are also trade resources so they are getting trade from the grain itself.

I've never tried removing the grain resources from Egypt (never honestly felt a desire to even play Egypt) so I don't know the overall impact this would have on them, however I'd think that it would seriously impact both their population growth and their trade.
Good idea, I will attempt to learn how to do that and see what happens. Will also try with mines in Thebes and without mines. That'll fix em! :)