Yes and yes.
Egypt’s policy aims was to protect the land against invasion and to further its commercial interests by maintaining control of major trade routes and vital resources.
The southern lands, called Nubia, were traditionally regarded as an Egyptian province.
The early New Kingdom pharaohs rapidly asserted their authority over this region. This brought to Egypt great wealth from the many gold and amethyst mines.
Egypt also gained access to the luxury goods of equatorial Africa through the trade routes of Kush. The powerful New Kingdom warrior pharaohs ensured that their borders were secure and exploited
