Rise and Fall of the Hyksos in the Egyptian Civilization - Research Paper Example

Who were the Hyksos? Rise and Fall of the Hyksos in the Egyptian Civilization Nearly two thousand years before Christ, Egypt was invaded by an army of nomadic people from Asia, who later came to be known as the Hyksos or ‘shepherd kings’ in detestation by the local Egyptians. The Hyksos reigned over Egypt for around four centuries, but could never get along with the natives. Their power was enhanced every time any Asian force entered Egypt, whom they greeted as allies1. Hyksos were declared to be a large force, and managed to invade Egypt without much resistance. They were able to accomplish this because they took advantage of a time when the dynasty of Pharaohs was nearing its end, and the Pharaoh had no son to succeed him. They crushed the ruling regime, and burnt the cities and temples to the ground. The natives were treated brutally, and some were even made slaves. Finally, they appointed a member of their army, Salitis, as king and established a new city called Ausaris2. The Hyksos ruled in a period which is commonly known as the Second Intermediate Period, in which the Asians were known as ‘Aamu’ by the locals. The Fifteenth Dynasty (1663-1570 BC) is usually assigned to these Hyksos kings. The Hyksos, started by ruling the eastern Delta, and later they spread their power to the middle and southern parts of Egypt. During the Second Intermediate Period, Egypt was in a state of turmoil, as opposing groups were rising from different areas. Among these emerged two strong leaders, the Hyksos kings, ruling from their capital Avaris, and the Theban Dynasty. During their rule, the Hyksos kings continued to attack the southern region, in order to gain control over the Theban Kingdom, which they eventually managed to do but for a short time period. The ethnic origins of the Hyksos have always been a controversial topic. There is plenty of evidence to support that they were from Palestine, as their culture was very similar to that of the last stage of Middle Bronze Age II from the Syro-Palestinian region. But there are also indications of Mesopotamian culture in the Hyksos kingdom. Objects such as composite bows and chariots used by the Hyksos, were part of the Mesopotamian civilization. But it was odd that these objects were of the old design when used by the Hyksos, as compared to the new ones which were being used in Mesopotamia at the time. Thus, it can be concluded that the Hyksos were not directly influenced by the Mesopotamians3. The Hyksos were grand builders and craftsmen, and their method of governance was almost similar to that of the Egyptians. Although the Hyksos brought a few of their gods when they invaded Egypt, they also displayed respect to the idols of the Egyptian natives, some of which also became a part of their own religion. Egypt already had various interactions with the forces from Asia. These included several wars and trade to a certain extent; therefore it would not be startling to notice that mix cultures did exist in different areas in Egypt at that time. The Hyksos belonged to the Semitic tribe who gained control of Egypt from the leaders of the Second Intermediate Period, which took place after the 13th Dynasty. Their names largely come from the West Semitic languages and there also have been hints that these people were Hurrian. It is difficult to verify the origins of these people in Asia, and at Tell el-Dab'a, as their culture was not steady, but kept on changing. According to one theory, the local Egyptians allowed, settlers from the region of Lebanon and Palestine to settle down on their lands. The leaders of these settlers gradually established matrimonial relations with the local Egyptians. This is supported by the fact that foreign features of the Hyksos at Tell el-Dab'a have been excavated at sites to the south of Palestine such as Tell el-Ajjul, at the Syrian site of Ebla and at Byblos in modern Lebanon. Hence, the Hyksos ended up ruling Egypt mainly because of the the huge number of Asians who travelled to the northeastern Delta of the Nile. Egyptians also helped in this activity. For example, according to Amenemhat II, a campaign by sea to the Lebanese coast allowed them to capture 1,554 Asians and bring them back to Egypt. And as the eastern borders of Egypt were well protected, a huge number of foreigners entered from the North and settled there. As far the invasion is concerned, the Hyksos used superior bronze weapons, chariots and composite bows to bring Egypt under their control. Their slow advancement towards the south, shows that they were nervous during that move, which is why the south could not completely come under their control. Thus, by about 1720 BC, they were dominant enough, to overthrow the Middle Kingdom Kings, and take over Avaris in the northeastern Delta. This city later became the capital of the Hyksos kings, and in the next fifty years, they were influential enough to spread their control over the key Egyptian city of Memphis. The gradual nature of their expansion towards southern Egypt shows that their advanced weapons were not the main reason for their control. The political weaknesses of the previous kings also played a significant role in aiding the Hyksos in establishing their empire. The Hyksos Empire, stretched five hundred miles, from Avim which lies at the south-west of Palestine near Egypt to Orfah on the lower Euphrates River, and from Rahabah or Rehboth lying at the north, then six hundred miles south to Teyma or Tema. And possibly as far as Sheba in Southern Yemen. The Hyksos reigned much over the Arabian Peninsula during their rule. This vast region includes all the areas occupied by the Ishmaelites or Northern Arabians described as "from Havilah" (Hal'il in Central Arabia) unto "Shur, that is before Egypt" (the region of the Isthmus of Suez), "as thou goest toward Assyria" (which would be in the general direction of Rahabah or Rehoboth). From this it can be determined that the Ishmaelites (North Arabians) were merged with the Hyksos Empire, by collaboration because of Esau's family ties with Ishmael. It is a likely possibility that the defeat of Midianites at the hands of Hadad, involved the Ishmaelites also, since the Midianites and Ishmalites worked with each other. (The Hyksos, Kings of Egypt and the land of Edom) However, the Hyksos were never able to control Egypt completely. Their rule in the south was only temporary. This might be because of the huge outbreak, for at Tell el-Dab'a large numbers of graves have been found, with little consideration being given to the burials. Hyksos kings asserted that they were the rulers of Upper and Lower Egypt, but as a matter of fact, King Kamose had restricted them to only the southern boundary. While Cusae, a little deep into the south was the real border point. Under the leadership of Seqenenre and Kamose the Thebans campaigned against the Hyksos rulers, and the Hyksos pharaoh Auserre Apopi I was unsuccessful in making a treaty with the rulers of Cush, who managed to invade the Egyptian Nubia later on during their rule. Yet Southern or Upper Egypt ended up at least paying homage to the Hyksos, mainly because of the strong military power of the Hyksos forces. Therefore, they are considered genuine leaders of the whole country during parts of the Second Intermediate Period. The native Egyptians had submitted to the Hyksos in a certain way; they acknowledged the Hyksos monarchs as their suzerains, and indicated their domination by the payment of an annual tribute; but they retained their own native princes, their own administration and government, their own religion, their own laws; they did not mingle with the new comers and were not subject to daily insult or ill-treatment. The fact that they paid a tribute did not stop them from preserving their self-respect, and thus they suffered neither moral nor physical damage. Further, it was possible for them to engage in wars on their own account with the races living further up the Nile without the interference of any foreign forces, and with the wild tribes of the desert. Thus they practiced themselves in war on a constant basis and maintained these war-like routines, while the Hyksos refrained from interfering and were unaware of how strong the local Egyptians were growing. But Egypt also benefited from the Hyksos rule. It made Egypt a stronger country, with a much more effective military. Important changes were brought in the area of warfare; composite bows, new types of daggers and scimitars, and above all the horse and chariot. The military expertise of the Hyksos definitely contributed greatly to their ability to overcome rapidly any Egyptian resistance. And it were these military techniques that the Hyksos introduced in their empire, and it later did damage to them as well, as the locals became strong and managed to drive off the Hyksos kings. Not only did they introduce the horse and chariot to warfare, giving them a huge tactical advantage, but they were also skilled archers. The Egyptians were quick to recognize the importance of these new methods of warfare, and both the bow and the chariot were utilized a great deal in the conquests of the New Kingdom Pharaohs. Previously, because of Egypt's power to separate itself from the outside world, cultural and technological advancements could not be brought in the country. There was not much history between Egypt and Asia, until the entrance of the Hyksos. Other than new weapons, the Hyksos brought many technical innovations to Egypt, from bronze working, pottery and looms to new musical instruments and musical styles. An important impact upon Egyptian economy and life was the work of the Hyksos in building an effective control of water resources. A network of canals was built which branched off to irrigate the desert west of the Nile. Furthermore, it was due to the Hyksos that the hump backed Zebu cattle made their appearance in Egypt. Plantation of new vegetable and fruits took place, and there were developments in pottery and linen, as the new potter's wheels and the vertical loom were brought in. Maybe one of the greatest contributions of the Hyksos was the conservation of famous Egyptian documents, both related to literature and science. During Apophis’s rule, the fifth king of the Hyksos reign, transcribers were employed to duplicate Egyptian text, so that it would not get lost. One such text was the Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus. This exclusive text, dating from about 3000 BC, gives a wide and clear outlook of the human body as it was viewed by the Egyptians, with specifics of certain clinical cases, examinations, and diagnosises. The Westcar Papyrus managed to save the only known version of an ancient Egyptian story that could have been lost forever. Other preserved manuscripts include the Rhind Mathematical Papyrus, a mathematical exposition of huge importance, and is the only one ever to be found in Egypt. But it was the flow of modern techniques, such as bronze-working which ended the out dated technology of the Middle Kingdom, and it because of these improvements that the Theban Kingdom was able to gain back control of the south. It is believed that the Hyksos kings were forced to retreat back to where they came from, which gradually lead to the fall of their empire. Ahmose I, the Egyptian king, can be held responsible for driving out the Hyksos. He tracked the forces into east towards South Palestine, where the Hyksos forces blocked the Egyptian army at Sharuhen, for three years. Eventually Sharuhen fell, and with that defeat the Hyksos power did not only came to an end, but was wiped out completely. When Ahmose I defeated the Hyksos at Sharuhen, he had blocked the link between the Canaanite allies on the north and the Hyksos homeland on the south. His soldiers conquered the Sinai Peninsula as Ahmose I did not desire to keep the region to his right open, nor did he want anything to hinder his forces from returning if he was unsuccessful in his conquest to defeat the Hyksos at Sharuhen. While invading the south region of Canaan and the North Sinai Desert, Ahmose I was seizing the original home of Edom which has been mentioned in the Bible, and so, trying to defeat the Hyksos in their own home land. He finally managed to crush the Hyksos forces and brought the Hyksos Empire to an end. This was why the Hyksos forces so desperately clung on to the siege at Sharuhen, as this was their last chance of saving their identity. They either had to defeat Ahmose I right there or lead themselves into extinction. The Hyksos did have some Canaanite allies on the north in the Hittites and the Hivites, but Canaan was only a friend of the Empire, not a part of it; or the Hyksos could have gone north from Sharuhen to one guarded city after another throughout Palestine. But, sadly, Sharuhen was their last and only choice. The Hyksos army did not win and was forced to go into extinction. Thus after that, the Egyptians had no more wars with the Hyksos. It was the end and Hyksos/Edom had collapsed. The very fact that the Egyptian shows the pursuit of the Hyksos Kings as far as Sharuhen, after which the whole Hyksos Empire suddenly disappears forever, supports the fact that the Hyksos’s homeland was not far away. Or the empire could have lived for years after being forced out of Egypt. But the land of origin must be Sharuhen or a neighboring area, so that the collapse of Sharuhen destroyed their entire empire forever. Therefore the sudden disappearance of the Hyksos after the fall of Sharuhen supports the fact that their native land could only be Edom. By conquering the the North Sinai Desert, and moving towards Sharuhen, and blocking links to the Canaanite cites to the north, Ahmose I had done all that was necessary to break up the Hyksos forces. As a result, he was able to push the Hyksos Kings back into their own homeland and had left them no secured cities. He had also prevented them from gaining help from the Caanite allies. After completing his purpose, he prevented from moving his army any further, and decided to return home and celebrate his triumph. The Theban rebellion stretched towards north under the leadership of Kamose, and in around 1521 Avaris came under the control of his successor, Ahmose, thus ending almost a hundred years of Hyksos rule over Egypt. Although criticized by the local Egyptians, the Hyksos maintained their control as pharaohs and were known to be genuine kings. They were never really accepted by the natives, but the reign of Hyksos Empire was a significant part of Egyptian history. Bibliography: The Story of the Greatest Nations and World’s Famous Events Vol. 1 Manetho on the Hyksos < http://www.ancientegyptonline.co.uk/hyksos.html > The Hyksos period in Egypt by Charlotte Booth < http://books.google.com.pk/books?id=srQmRwVozvkC&printsec=frontcover&dq=The+Hyksos+period+in+Egypt&hl=en&ei=eYDmTt3UMMrb4QTmpfSpBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=The%20Hyksos%20period%20in%20Egypt&f=false> Who Were the Hyksos? By Jimmy Dunn < http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/hyksos.html> The Hyksos, Kings of Egypt and the land of Edom < http://nabataea.net/edomch5.html> Comparison between Hyksos and Vandals < http://www.aldokkan.com/egypt/hyksos.html> Read More