The Hyksos Invasion of Egypt

Around the time period of 1730-1570 B.C., Egypt was ruled by the Hyksos. Irritated by them, the Egyptians tried to ward-off the Hyksos. Regardless of many desperate attempts and times of misery, the Egyptians finally, after one hundred and fifty years, were rid of the Hyksos.

Before the Hyksos invaded, Egypt was very wealthy. But Egypt needed one thing badly: an army. While Egypt was growing wealthier and wealthier, it was also growing weaker and weaker. Egypt had been neglecting her forces. Now she relied on the deserts to hold off enemies.

But the deserts were not effective. About 1730 B.C., the brutal, aggressive Hyksos people came from the desert area of present day Arabia and Syria and invaded Egypt. Nearly defenseless, the Egyptians were no match for the Hyksos. With their bronze weaponry and their chariots, which the Egyptians had never seen before, the Hyksos seamed undefeatable.

The Hyksos swept through Egypt, conquering and raiding cities with ease. The Hyksos made a new capital in the delta Avarias. For 150 years, the Egyptians were ruled by the wretched and vile foreigners. The Hyksos changed Egypt in many ways. They simplified the Egyptian language; they deeply encouraged trades like spinning and weaving. However, the largest change was ceasing the construction of great monuments.

The Hyksos occasionally let a puppet pharaoh ‘rule’, but this puppet pharaoh really had no authority at all. Hyksos sometimes let local rulers alone, but made them pay tribute. At some point, local rulers in Thebes in the south refused to pay tribute and started to make war on the Hyksos. Many attempts to rid the Hyksos of Egypt were attempted. King Seqenenra led forces against the Hyksos, but his attempt was in vain; as were the others.

The whole of Egypt was devastated. When would they be able to force the Hyksos out of Egypt? The Egyptians wanted pure blood Egyptians ruling again. Would their dream come true?

It seemed impossible until Ahmose 1, a brave and confident young ruler, proved them wrong and raised a powerful, Egyptian army. Successfully, he and his men drove the Hyksos out of Egypt. Ahmose founded the 18th Dynasty. Ahmose believed it was Amon-ra who led him into victory against the Hyksos. Egypt was to enjoy one of its most thriving times.
-Grayce in South Carolina