During Middle Egyptian Empire (2000 – 1580 a. C.), the reconstitution of the centralized power structure was not able to end the political disputes between the pharaoh and the other representatives of the religious and administrative elite of Egypt. Around the 18th century a. a., the pressure exerted by members of the nobility against the pharaonic authority established a serious disagreement. Many members of the elite, interested in challenging the pharaoh's power, allowed foreign peoples to enter the territory.
It was precisely in the midst of these disputes that the Hyksos (a civilization of Asian origin) established the peaceful occupation of the northern region of the Egyptian empire. As raised by some researchers, the arrival of the Hyksos was due to the severe drought that took over their place of origin. Thus, we can conclude that these people moved to the northeast of Africa in order to enjoy the rich lands and large springs available.
As political disputes took over Egypt, the Hyksos embarked on the development of their economy and society. In addition, they had the cunning to form a powerful army equipped with very resistant weapons and skillful war horses. Thus, when they began the process of domination against the Egyptians, they had no greater difficulty in overcoming the unstable forces that controlled the Nile River Delta region.
After establishing themselves politically in Egypt, the Hyksos decided to establish the capital of Lower Egypt in the city of Avaris. Meanwhile, the dynasty of pharaohs, which previously controlled the entire length of the territory, moved the capital to Thebes; city of Upper Egypt, thus ensuring control over parts of the southern region. For nearly a century, this political division remained stable thanks to the good relationship between the two governments that controlled the Nile River Valley.
However, this balanced relationship between Hyksos and Egyptian authority has been shaken by an apparently commonplace feud. According to the account of documents from that period, many of these fights took place because the Hyksos rulers sought to all ways to legitimize and extend their powers by adopting several of the traditions and customs developed by the Egyptians. On the other hand, the Egyptians could not accept the loss of a rich and significant portion of their domains.
Around 1580 BC a., during the government of the Egyptian pharaoh Amosis I, the military conflicts against the hyksos intensified. In order to recover the political unity of the former Egyptian Empire, the Egyptian troops had to overcome two fronts of battle: one to the north, led by the Hyksos and the other to the south, under the leadership of the Nubians, a people who cooperated militarily in favor of the Hyksos. After the victory, the New Empire (1580 – 525 a. C.) inaugurated a new stage of Egyptian imperial supremacy.
By Rainer Sousa
Graduated in History
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Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SOUSA, Rainer Gonçalves. "The Hyksos invasion"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/historiag/a-invasao-dos-hicsos.htm. Accessed on July 27, 2021.