18th century BCE – 16th century BCE
Eastern Delta and Lower Egypt
Hyksos rule arose through the settlement and political consolidation of western Asiatic groups in Lower Egypt during the decline of the Thirteenth Dynasty. By about 1700 BCE, the Hyksos controlled the eastern Delta and made Avaris their fortified capital. Their domination introduced horses, chariots, and body armour into Egypt before a Theban war of liberation under Ahmose expelled them from the country.
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The Story
The Hyksos emerged from a large Asiatic population in Lower Egypt, reinforced by migrations from the lands northeast of Egypt. Egyptian rulers called their leaders Hka-Hasut, “Rulers of Foreign Countries,” a designation from which the term Hyksos was derived. Their political rise was not presented as a single sudden invasion, but as the result of infiltration by several western Asiatic groups, chiefly Semitic peoples, during the weakening of the Thirteenth Dynasty.
The Hyksos began to challenge Egyptian authority seriously around 1729 BCE and had become an organized and warlike power by about 1700 BCE. They conquered the eastern Delta, including Hat-Waret, known as Avaris, which they refortified and used as their capital. Their kings included rulers with Semitic names, reflecting the mixed western Asiatic background described for the ruling groups.
Hyksos domination had lasting military consequences. Horses, chariots, and body armour were introduced into Egypt, whose armies later turned these technologies against their former rulers. The Theban rulers organized a war of liberation after nearly 150 years of occupation, and Ahmose captured Avaris before pursuing the Hyksos into Palestine and attacking Sharuhen and the land of Zahi.
18th century BCE – 16th century BCE
Eastern Delta and Lower Egypt
Hyksos rule arose through the settlement and political consolidation of western Asiatic groups in Lower Egypt during the decline of the Thirteenth Dynasty. By about 1700 BCE, the Hyksos controlled the eastern Delta and made Avaris their fortified capital. Their domination introduced horses, chariots, and body armour into Egypt before a Theban war of liberation under Ahmose expelled them from the country.
Continue exploring
The Story
The Hyksos emerged from a large Asiatic population in Lower Egypt, reinforced by migrations from the lands northeast of Egypt. Egyptian rulers called their leaders Hka-Hasut, “Rulers of Foreign Countries,” a designation from which the term Hyksos was derived. Their political rise was not presented as a single sudden invasion, but as the result of infiltration by several western Asiatic groups, chiefly Semitic peoples, during the weakening of the Thirteenth Dynasty.
The Hyksos began to challenge Egyptian authority seriously around 1729 BCE and had become an organized and warlike power by about 1700 BCE. They conquered the eastern Delta, including Hat-Waret, known as Avaris, which they refortified and used as their capital. Their kings included rulers with Semitic names, reflecting the mixed western Asiatic background described for the ruling groups.
Hyksos domination had lasting military consequences. Horses, chariots, and body armour were introduced into Egypt, whose armies later turned these technologies against their former rulers. The Theban rulers organized a war of liberation after nearly 150 years of occupation, and Ahmose captured Avaris before pursuing the Hyksos into Palestine and attacking Sharuhen and the land of Zahi.
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