Hyksos: The Rulers of Foreign Lands Who Transformed Egypt

Q: Who were the Hyksos?

The Hyksos were a West-Semitic-speaking people who settled in Lower Egypt circa 1782 BCE.

Q: What does Hyksos mean?

The name "Hyksos" means "Rulers of Foreign Lands."

Q: Did the Hyksos really conquer Egypt?

No. The Hyksos took over Lower Egypt, but there is no evidence of a military conquest, and the Hyksos traded regularly with the Egyptians and Nubians. Far from being hostile invaders, the Hyksos introduced many important innovations to Egypt.

Q: What happened to the Hyksos?

The Hyksos were driven from Egypt circa 1570 by Ahmose I of Thebes and, after that, their fate is unknown. It is also unclear where they came from.

Joshua J. Mark

Definition

The Hyksos were a West Semitic-speaking people who gained a foothold in Egypt circa 1782 BCE at the city of Avaris in Lower Egypt, thus initiating the era known in Egyptian history as the Second Intermediate Period (circa 1782 to circa 1570 BCE). Though villified by later Egyptian scribes, the innovations they introduced transformed Egypt, and without them, there would have been no Egyptian Empire.

More about: Hyksos

Timeline

1783 BCE
Avaris is built and set as capital of Hyksos.
c. 1782 BCE - c. 1570 BCE
The Hyksos reign in Lower Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period.
1725 BCE
Invasion of the Hyksos.
c. 1580 BCE
Conflict between the Hyksos at Avaris and Egyptians of Thebes breaks out; Theban king Ta'O killed in battle.
c. 1570 BCE
Hyksos are driven from Egypt by Ahmose I who initiates the period of the New Kingdom.
c. 1570 BCE
Ahmose I defeats and expels the Hyksos from Egypt and destroy their capital Avaris.