Second Intermediate Period

The Second Intermediate Period began with the 15th dynasty and ended with the 17th dynasty. This period in Egyptian history is known for not only being dark like the First Intermediate Period, but also for the invasion of the Hyksos. Marking a period when Ancient Egypt once again fell into disarray between the end of the Middle Kingdom and the start of the New Kingdom the Second Intermediate Period is when the Hyksos made their appearance in Egypt and whose reign comprised the 15th and 16th Dynasties. The large-scale immigration of foreigners into the Nile Valley during the Middle Kingdom eventually led to the end of the Middle Kingdom as these foreigners remained non-naturalized "Asiatics." In other words they established their own communities and lived by their own laws. As their numbers increased they became a threat to the already weak power of the Egyptian monarchy.

The 13th Dynasty was unable to hold onto the entire territory of Egypt and the provincial ruling family in Xois (located in the marshes of the western Delta) broke away to form the 14th Dynasty. This splintering of the land accelerated after Sobekhotep IV for it was during his reign that the Hyksos may have made their first appearance. Around 1720 BC the Hyksos took control of the town of Avaris (modern Tell ed-Dab'a/Khata'na). The Hyksos overran Egypt led by Salitis, the founder of the 15th Dynasty, which was succeeded by a group of Hyksos princes and chieftains, who ruled in the eastern Delta with their local Egyptian vassals called by modern Egyptologists the 16th Dynasty. (On Right is the sarcophagus of Ah-Hotep-Mother of the last Hyksos pharaoh of Egypt)

Around the time Memphis and Itj-tawy fell to the Hyksos, the native Egyptian ruling house in Thebes declared its independence from the vassal Hyksos dynasty in Itj-tawy and became the 17th Dynasty. The 17th dynasty became the salvation of Egypt and eventually lead the war of liberation that drove the Hyksos back into Asia.

The rule of Egypt under the Hyksos had kings from diverse backgrounds as the groups of foreigners vied to dominate Egypt. There was no "single" monarch but rather a collection of independent states under a variety of foreign kings. The Egyptians were ashamed and angered at the loss of their state and called these kings Heka-Khaswt or "Rulers of the Foreign Lands." It was the Greeks that termed the word Hyksos. The Hyksos invasion had psychological effect on the Egyptians because they had never been conquered and they were shamed by conquest by an opportunistic army of nomadic tribesmen. Interestingly enough, the Hyksos appeared to have adopted Egyptian manners, laws, and theories of monarchy. However the Hyksos dream of becoming Egyptian died within a century with the resistance of a ferocious Egyptian family. Amosis the general who finally drove out the Hyksos founded the 18th Dynasty and ushered in the era of the New Kingdom. (On Left is the head of a Hyksos ruler).

15th Dynasty Rulers

c. 1650-1550 BC

parallel with the 16th & 17th Dynasties

Rulers Included:

Sheshi

Yakubher Meruserre

Khyan Seuserenre

Apepi I (Auserre)

Apepi II (Aqenenre)

16th Dynasty Rulers

c. 1650-1550 BC

parallel with the 15th & 17th Dynasties

various minor Hyksos rulers and local governments

17th Dynasty Rulers

c. 1650-1550 BC

parallel with the 15th & 16th Dynasties

Rahotep (Sekhemrewahkhaw)

Sobekemsaf I (Sekhemreshedtawy)

Intef VI (Sekhemrewepmaat)

Intef VII (Nebkheperre)

Intef VIII (Sekhemreherhermaat)

Sobekemsaf II (Sekhemrewadjkhaw)

Senakhtenre

Seqenenre

Kamose