Final answer:
The French soldiers exhibited reactions ranging from awe and fascination with the ancient Egyptian monuments to potential disrespect by leaving graffiti, illustrating a complex mixture of admiration and personal expression during their campaign in Egypt.
Step-by-step explanation:
The French soldiers' reactions to the monuments along the Nile varied, but historical sources particularly highlight two prominent reactions. Some soldiers were in awe (A) of the grandeur and historical significance of the Egyptian monuments.
This reaction is supported by the broader concept of the era’s antiquarian interest and cultural appreciation, as levels of fascination with ancient cultures were high, especially within the context of the Napoleonic campaign in Egypt, where the discovery of the Rosetta Stone further cemented this interest.
On the other hand, it was not uncommon for occupying forces or tourists in ancient times to leave markings, as evidenced by the earliest recorded tourist graffiti at Saqqara, which indicates a practice of leaving marks may have been carried over by some within the French military, perhaps hinting at disregard or the act of leaving a personal imprint, which can be argued as disrespectful (D).
Given these sources, the most factually accurate answers can be a mix of A (they were in awe), C (they were fascinated and curious), and possibly D (they were disrespectful in some cases). It is difficult to ascertain whether all soldiers shared the same sentiment or acted homogeneously, so a single response encapsulating the complex range of their reactions does not fully represent the historical information available.