There was no need for locks since the Mediterranean and the Red Sea are level, so if an Emperor like Augustus or Trajan ordered one built and had 20,000 men put to work on it, it would be finished eventually wouldn't it, even if it fell to one of their successors to finish it?
This analysis I found is rather speculative, but indicates it could have been finished in 5-11 years and made oodles of money in toll revenue.
http://alternatehistoryweeklyupdate.blogspot.com/2012/06/economics-of-roman-suez-canal.html
EDIT: I don't want to hear about the canal of the Pharaohs, that linked the Nile to the Red Sea, and how Trajan had it dredged and reopened. It is not nearly as good as a true canal through the Suez would be.
This analysis I found is rather speculative, but indicates it could have been finished in 5-11 years and made oodles of money in toll revenue.
http://alternatehistoryweeklyupdate.blogspot.com/2012/06/economics-of-roman-suez-canal.html
EDIT: I don't want to hear about the canal of the Pharaohs, that linked the Nile to the Red Sea, and how Trajan had it dredged and reopened. It is not nearly as good as a true canal through the Suez would be.
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