Indeed the Egyptians are overpowered. Perhaps even more than the romans.

Although i don't find this fair, or quite accurate, historically speaking, i don't mind too much about it.

Reasons:

1) The Egyptians are a great fuction for the begginer. Of course you "have" to play as the Romans as a begginer, but it's not bad to have an easy non-roman fuction.

2) I did try to play with them, got bored and quited. Simply don't play as them if you find them not challenging a bit.

3) They provide a decent enemy when you play a "west" faction and you finally reach their lands. This is hardly the case for Scythians, Pontics, Armenians and Parthians when (and if) you finally reach them. And, no, egyptians don't take their lands (as opposed with the Seleucid lands).

Frankly, i'm very happy they are so overpowered, + they get a combat bonus in deserts. What would i do with my 3+ exp Urbanners or 3+ exp Foresters, hadn't it been for smashing Egyptian armies in the desert?