The Hyksos were a people of Western Asian origin who
dominated large portions of Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period (the
time between the Middle and New Kingdoms). They were related to the Canaanites
and Hurrians and had names of a Semitic origin. The XVth, XVIh,
Abydos and XVIIth dynasties are associated with the Hykos whose
period of influence covers the time period of the 17th and 16th
centuries BCE.
A technologically sophisticated people the Hyksos were known
for their crop and animal breeding, bronze work/pottery and musical
instruments. They introduced the horse and chariot to Egypt and made use of
composite bows and battle axes when fighting. The fortification techniques that
they employed were also advanced.
On a cultural level the Hyksos practiced horse burial and
worshiped a storm god not to different to that of the Egyptian deity, Seth.
While their influence on Egyptian culture is unmistakable,
Hyksos power would finally collapse when Ahmose I, the first pharaoh of the
XVIIIth dynasty, drove the Hyksos out from Egypt.
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