6.2 The Hyksos: origins, rule, and cultural impact

The Hyksos, foreign rulers of ancient Egypt, left an indelible mark on the country's history. Their reign during the Second Intermediate Period brought significant changes, introducing new technologies and cultural elements that would shape Egypt's future.

The Hyksos' impact extended beyond their rule, influencing Egypt's military, religion, and art. Their legacy sparked a renewed sense of Egyptian identity, ultimately leading to the country's reunification and the dawn of the New Kingdom era.

Origins and Identity of the Hyksos

Origins and identity of Hyksos

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• Hyksos were a foreign dynasty that ruled parts of Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period (c. 1650-1550 BCE), their name derived from the Egyptian term "hekau khasut" meaning "rulers of foreign lands"
• Ongoing scholarly debate surrounds the ethnic and geographical background of the Hyksos
  • Asiatic origin hypothesis proposes the Hyksos as Semitic-speaking people from the Levant (modern-day Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Palestine), supported by linguistic evidence such as Semitic names and loanwords in Hyksos-era texts
  • Hurrian origin hypothesis suggests the Hyksos as Hurrians, an ethnic group from northern Mesopotamia and Anatolia, supported by the presence of Hurrian names and cultural elements in Hyksos-era artifacts
  • Mixed origin hypothesis posits the Hyksos as a heterogeneous group comprising various Asiatic peoples including Semites and Hurrians, reflecting the complexity of the Hyksos phenomenon and the multicultural nature of the Levant during this period

Hyksos Rule and Cultural Impact

Extent of Hyksos rule

• Hyksos established their capital at Avaris in the Nile Delta, a strategic location for trade and military control
• Primarily controlled Lower Egypt (northern Egypt) while maintaining trade and diplomatic relations with the native Egyptian dynasties in Upper Egypt (southern Egypt)
• Adopted Egyptian royal titulary and administrative practices, maintaining a degree of continuity with the preceding Middle Kingdom institutions
• Possessed advanced bronze weaponry (swords, daggers, composite bows) and horse-drawn chariots, enabling them to establish and maintain their rule over parts of Egypt

Hyksos innovations and exchanges

• Introduced the revolutionary military technology of horse-drawn chariots, which were later adopted and further developed by the Egyptians
• Brought advanced bronze weaponry superior to the copper weapons used by the Egyptians, including swords, daggers, and composite bows
• Cultural exchanges included the incorporation of Levantine deities into the Egyptian pantheon, adoption of Levantine pottery styles and motifs, and introduction of new musical instruments like the lyre

Impact of Hyksos on Egypt

• Increased exposure to and interaction with foreign cultures, stimulating trade and cultural exchange with the Levant and other regions
• Syncretism between Egyptian and Levantine deities and adoption of foreign religious practices and iconography
• Incorporation of Levantine artistic styles and motifs, leading to the development of new hybrid styles reflecting the cultural fusion
• Heightened sense of cultural distinctiveness and nationalism in the aftermath of Hyksos rule, motivating Egyptian reunification and expansion during the New Kingdom period (c. 1550-1069 BCE)
• Enduring legacy in Egyptian collective memory as a period of foreign domination to be resisted and overcome