Second Intermediate Period of Egypt: The Era of the Hyksos

Q: What was the Second Intermediate Period in ancient Egypt?

The Second Intermediate Period in ancient Egypt was the era between the time of the Middle Kingdom and that of the New Kingdom, characterized chiefly by the people known as the Hyksos, who took over Lower Egypt.

Q: Was the Second Intermediate Period of ancient Egypt really a dark age?

No. The Second Intermediate Period of ancient Egypt was a time of disunity, with no strong central government, but trade flourished and religious and cultural traditions continued to be observed.

Q: Why is the Second Intermediate Period in ancient Egypt considered a dark age?

The Second Intermediate Period of ancient Egypt is considered a dark age because the Egyptian scribes of the New Kingdom characterized it that way. They regarded the Hyksos as invading barbarians who had destroyed Egyptian cities and disrupted cultural traditions, but this claim is not supported by historical records of the time or archaeological evidence.

Q: What was the legacy of the Second Intermediate Period of ancient Egypt?

The legacy of the Second Intermediate Period of ancient Egypt was the transformation of the country into an empire. The fear of another invasion, as they perceived the arrival of the Hyksos to be, encouraged the Egyptians to establish buffers around the country, expanding their territory, and taking Egypt to its economic, military, and cultural height during the New Kingdom.

Joshua J. Mark

Definition

The Second Intermediate Period (circa 1782 to circa 1570 BCE) is the era following the Middle Kingdom of Egypt (2040-1782 BCE) and preceding the New Kingdom (circa 1570-1069 BCE). As with all historical designations of the eras of Egyptian history, the name was coined by 19th-century Egyptologists to demarcate time periods in Egypt's history; the term was not used by ancient Egyptians.

More about: Second Intermediate Period of Egypt

Timeline

c. 1782 BCE - c. 1570 BCE
Second Intermediate Period in Egypt.
c. 1700 BCE - c. 1600 BCE
Egypt divided between three powers: Hyksos at Avaris, Egyptians at Thebes, Nubians to the south.
c. 1580 BCE
Seqenera Taa (Ta'O) of Thebes leads army against Hyksos of Avaris.
c. 1575 BCE
Kamose of Thebes sacks Avaris in attempt to unify Egypt and drive out foreign kings.
c. 1570 BCE
Ahmose I of Thebes drives the Hyksos from Egypt and unifies the nation under Theban rule, ushering in the New Kingdom of Egypt and attributing his victory to Amun.
c. 1570 BCE - c. 1544 BCE
Reign of Ahmose I in Egypt.