The Hyksos

The Hyksos (pronounced hik-sohs) were an ancient people that ruled Egypt for roughly 200 years between 1700 BC and 1500 BC. Much of their history was destroyed by the Egyptian historians after the Egyptian rulers retook power and expelled the Hyksos people. Egyptian history tells us that the Hyksos invaded Egypt and sacked and razed towns. But evidence for that claim simply does not exist. There are no old battlefields nor remains of large battles. Instead, many believe that the Hyksos simply migrated their way into power. Egypt was weak at the time, battling famine and plague, and the Hyksos were migrating at an alarming rate. The Hyksos were a collection of traders, doctors, accountants, artisans, farmers, mercenaries, lawyers, and skilled workers. There were a Semitic people, possibly Hittites or Canaanites. While it is true that they introduced better axes and bows to the Egyptian military, along with introducing the horse-drawn chariot to the battlefield, it is not clear whether or not they actually used them to gain power. It is becoming more accepted that the Hyksos simply married their way into powerful positions and claimed power through popularity of the masses. While the Egyptian rulers eventually expelled the Hyksos, the benefits of their culture helped advance Egyptian society. Besides the aforementioned advancements in military technology, the Hyksos were responsible for introducing the hump-back cow as well as new crops and fruits. They also preserved key Egyptian texts by recording them (there were, after all, lawyers and accountants among them).

There is no reason I should know this. But since Will is doing his class project on the Hyksos, I do.