The Hyksos Expulsion refers to the series of events during the 16th century BCE when the native Egyptian rulers of the Eighteenth Dynasty successfully drove out the Hyksos, a foreign dynasty that had taken control of the northern part of Egypt, including the Nile Delta region.
The Hyksos, whose name is often translated as “rulers of foreign lands,” were Semitic people who originated from the Levant.
Background
Hyksos Rule in Egypt (c. 1650–1550 BCE):
The Hyksos established the Fifteenth Dynasty in Egypt and ruled from their capital, Avaris, in the Nile Delta.
They introduced new technologies and cultural practices, including advanced weaponry like the horse-drawn chariot and composite bows, as well as new forms of art and architecture.
Impact on Egypt:
The Hyksos maintained control over Lower Egypt (the northern part) while the native Egyptian rulers governed Upper Egypt (the southern part) from Thebes.
Despite being foreign rulers, the Hyksos adopted and integrated many aspects of Egyptian culture and administration.
The Expulsion
Theban Resistance:
The resistance against the Hyksos began under the leadership of Seqenenre Tao, a ruler from Thebes.
Seqenenre Tao engaged in military campaigns against the Hyksos but died in battle, as evidenced by his mummified remains showing severe head injuries.
Kamose’s Campaigns:
Seqenenre Tao’s successor, Kamose, continued the fight and launched significant military campaigns against the Hyksos.
Kamose’s stelae, inscriptions recording his achievements, detail his efforts to reclaim territory and disrupt Hyksos control, particularly their trade routes and alliances.
Ahmose I and Final Victory:
The definitive expulsion of the Hyksos was achieved by Ahmose I, the brother of Kamose.
Ahmose I captured Avaris, the Hyksos capital, and pursued the fleeing Hyksos into the Levant, securing Egyptian borders and re-establishing native rule over the entire country.
His victory marked the end of the Second Intermediate Period and the beginning of the New Kingdom, a prosperous era in Egyptian history.
Significance
Restoration of Egyptian Rule:
The expulsion of the Hyksos was a turning point that restored Egyptian sovereignty and led to the reunification of Egypt under native rule.
Cultural and Technological Advancements:
The Hyksos introduced new technologies and cultural elements that were assimilated into Egyptian society, contributing to its development during the New Kingdom.
Military and Political Reforms:
The experience of Hyksos rule and the subsequent military campaigns influenced Egypt’s military strategies and political organization, leading to a more centralized and powerful state.
The Hyksos Expulsion is celebrated in ancient Egyptian texts as a moment of national triumph and liberation, and it played a crucial role in shaping the history and identity of ancient Egypt.
