In 1798, Napoleon led an expedition to Egypt in order to protect French economic ties with trade in the East and to pose a threat to Britain. He was accompanied by many scientists who researched Egyptian history and culture, finding among the ruins the prized Rosetta Stone. This led to the decoding of Egyptian hieroglyphics. Egypt was then under Ottoman control and Napoleon could rally little support there for a French take-over. He won various battles, but then decided to press further into the Ottoman Empire, resulting in an army weakened by a breakout of plague. He then retreated back to Egypt and then returned to Europe, leaving his army there. It was his first taste of any defeat, although it was a mild one and did not hamper his ambitions.