The term "Hyksos," meaning "rulers of foreign lands," originated from the self-designation of the brief Hyksos dynasty. These rulers, also referred to as "The foreign Kings" or "Shepherd Kings," forcefully invaded and took control of Egypt, earning the epithet "burnt faces" due to the sun's impact on their complexion. Their origins remained mysterious, and historical records mention a Hyksos capital known as Avaris.
The Hyksos emerged during a tumultuous period following the collapse of the Middle Kingdom and preceding the zenith of the New Kingdom, a five-century era marked by prosperity and territorial expansion under pharaohs like Akhenaten and Tutankhamun.
Around 1730 BC, the Hyksos seized power in the Delta region and ruled Egypt with varying success for approximately a century and a half. Nearly six centuries before their rise, climate records indicate a small ice age around 2200 B.C., followed by persistent droughts in Egypt for two centuries. This extended dry period likely contributed to political instability and the breakdown of ancient Egypt's Old Kingdom.
Beginning in Avaris, the Hyksos rapidly expanded their dominion, reaching central Egypt during the 15th Dynasty (around 1650 BC–c. 1550 BC). The Egyptians referred to them as Heka Khawaset-Foreign Rulers, recognizing their warlike nature and the introduction of chariots to Egypt.
The Hyksos' occupation led to the division of Egypt into two regions, establishing political and administrative centers at Avaris in the north and Thebes in the south. Avaris experienced significant growth, accommodating an estimated 25,000 people at its peak.
Military conflicts between Avaris and Thebes, culminating in the expulsion of the Hyksos, challenged traditional Egyptian notions of kingship and culture. This period had a lasting impact on the Egyptians' perception of foreigners and their own identity.
Around 1550 B.C., Ahmose, the Theban pharaoh and the first ruler of the 18th dynasty, launched a campaign to seize Avaris and eliminate the Hyksos. Avaris was captured, and though the Hyksos agreed to leave Egypt voluntarily, depictions celebrating the victory suggest a more violent end to the dynasty.
Hyksos Invasion and Expulsion
