Hyksos

Hyksos (Egyptian, “foreign rulers”), Semitic invaders who conquered Egypt in the 17th century bc and founded the 15th Dynasty. (The name has also been, erroneously, interpreted as meaning “shepherd kings.”) Sweeping south into Egypt, probably from Palestine and Syria, they and their nomadic followers captured Memphis and exacted tribute from the rest of the country. They established a stronghold at Avaris (possibly the later Tanis), on the northeastern border of the Nile delta, but left the territory above Memphis under the rule of tributary princes of the old nobility. These vassals started the nationalistic revolt that finally, under Ahmose I (reigned 1550-1525 bc), founder of the 18th Dynasty, drove out the foreign rulers. The only detailed ancient account of the Hyksos is in a passage cited by the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus. Evidence from inscriptions and sculpture and pottery remains shows that these kings adapted themselves to Egyptian customs and took Egyptian names.

The Hyksos introduced the horse into Egypt; in fact, their easy conquest of Egypt was probably due to such superior military features as horse-drawn chariots. They maintained tribute or trade relations with the Minoans and Babylonians (see Aegean Civilization; Babylonia). No remarkable buildings of the Hyksos kings have survived. Only traces of temple restorations remain, mainly at Bubastis.