The Hyksos People of Ancient Egypt

The word "hyksos" comes from heka khasewet, which means "foreign rulers" and was used by the Egyptians to describe the kings of nearby areas. During the Second Intermediate Period, the Hyksos invaded Egypt and formed the 15th Dynasty that ruled Lower Egypt for just over one hundred years.

There are ancient accounts of Lower Egypt being taken over by a group of barbarians using weapons and armor never before seen by Egyptians, such as the horse-drawn chariot, chain-mail, different kinds of swords and daggers, composite and recurve bows, along with improved arrowheads, new types of shields, and metal helmets. Out of fear and not knowing what to do against these new weapons, it is said the Hyksos encountered little resistance.

There are other ideas revolving around the idea of an invasion free of actual battles. In these ideas, the Hyksos were not a unified tribe who decided to take over a neighboring country, but smaller groups of similar people who migrated to Egypt from other areas such as Western Asia . The newcomers met no resistance because the leaders in place were either busy with larger problems or were not capable of ruling effectively.

Over the years, or so this alternative idea goes, some foreigners had gained positions in their local government and realized the ineptitude of their rulers. Deciding it was in their best interests not to pay tributes and do as asked by a weak leader, these men infiltrated the Egyptian government and claimed the reins for themselves.

This idea brings down any technological superiority of the Hyksos, meaning there were no charioteers to awe the Egyptians enough to wrestle power away from their leaders.Regardless, once they gained control, the Hyksos founded the walled city of Avaris, which was then made the capital of the Hyksos dynasty in Lower Egypt . The Hyksos toppled an Egyptian city and built Avaris over its ruins before fortifying it.

The pharaoh of Upper Egypt, Tao II, died in battle trying to defeat the Hyksos and drive them out of Egypt . Tao II's son Kamose took the throne but also was killed in battle before seeing the end of their mission. His younger brother, Ahmose I, became king, but was too young to rule alone, and his mother, Ahhotep, became regent.

Queen Ahhotep lived until she was around ninety years of age, and given evidence found in her burial chamber, it is believed she was an instrumental part in the removing the Hyksos people of ancient Egypt. When her tomb was found, military medals and a ceremonial dagger were found. A stele at the temple of Amun-Re lists her good deeds, including taking care of her soldiers, guarding her country, and expelling rebels.