User:Thespongeboy/Second Intermediate Period of Egypt

Second Intermediate Period
The Second Intermediate Period dates from 1700 to 1550 B.C.E. Marks a period when ancient Egypt was broken into smaller dynasty for a second time, between the end of the Middle Kingdom and the start of the New Kingdom. The dynasties that ruled during the second intermediate period was 13th Dynasty through 17th Dynasty. The concept of a "Second Intermediate Period" was a term that was starting to be used in early part of the twentieth century by Egyptologist from United Kingdom.

It is best known as the period when the Hyksos people of West Asia made their appearance in Egypt and whose reign comprised the 15th Dynasty, which, according to Manetho's Aegyptiaca, was founded by a king by the name of Salitis.

= End of the Middle Kingdom[edit] = Main articles: 12th Dynasty of Egypt

The 12th Dynasty of Egypt came to an end around 18th century BC with the death of queen Sobekneferu (c.1777-1773 B.C.E.). Very little is known about Sobekneferu and after her death came the end of the 12th dynasty. It was succeeded by the 13th Dynasty. Though only the late part of 13th Dynasty is consider to be the start of the Second Intermediate Period.

With having the collapse of the 12th dynasty lead Egypt to be broken up into regions that would have different dynasty that would rule during the same time as other dynasty. certain dynasties would co-rule over ancient Egypt. With some dynasties trying to to battle one another but would lead to stale mate.

The Thirteenth Dynasty
Main Article: Thirteenth Dynasty of Egypt

Retaining the seat of the 12th Dynasty, the 13th Dynasty(c. 1773-1650 B.C.E.). Ruled from Itjtawy ("Seizer-of-the-Two-Lands") for most of its existence, switching to Thebes in the far south possibly since the reign of Merneferre Ay. According to the Syncellus, all three sources of the king list of Africanus, Eusebius, and the Armenian of Eusebius that the 13th dynasty had sixty kings rules that lived in Dioplus for roughly 453 years. The first king was Sebekhetep 1st even though it was lead to believe that the first two kings were the sons of Amenenhat 4th. Though the 13th dynasty may have control Upper Egypt, the 14th Dynasty was already ruling Lower Egypt, but both houses agree to co-exist with one another with allowing trade between both. The kings of the dynasty must had trouble with contain power within their dynasty since the date we have for the kings reigns are very short and is replace rapid fashion. Along with dealing with many years of famine and serval plagues. With all factors made the 13th dynasty weaker than previous dynasty from the middle kingdom. Similar to the 14th dynasty, The 13th dynasty would be invade at their capital by the more powerful foreign Hyksos, when moving south to Upper Egypt. With the collapse of the 13th Dynasty lead a opening for two smaller dynasties to take control of the lands. Though it was short lived when the Hyksos came and took control of Lower Egypt.

The Fourteenth Dynasty
Main article: Fourteenth Dynasty of Egypt

The 14th Dynasty (c.1700-1650 B.C.E.) was also ruling in Egypt around the time of the late 13th dynasty. While the 13th dynasty was ruling in Thebes, the 14th dynasty ruled in minor parts of Northern Egyp t or Lower Egypt. According to Syncellus, all three sources agree on that the 13th dynasty had seventy-six kings and their court was located in Xois, now modern day Sakha, though they do provide to different amount of years ruled. With the Africanus stating that the 13th dynasty reigned for 184 years. While the Armenian version of the Eusebius stating that they reigned for 484 years. While the other Eusebius states the same has the Africanus, but in another copy it states the same number as the Armenian version. The founder of the 14th Dynasty was Nefrusobek who saw how unstable was the 12th dynasty and would start his own dynasty and move to take over most of Lower Egypt. Though when the 12th dynasty collapse leaving upper Egypt to anyone game, that why the 13th Dynasty took over the control of Upper Egypt. Though having two dynasty control both parts of Egypt may have lead to some conflicts, but both dynasty agree to have either own control of their own land and allow for trading between them. The 14th Dynasty saw great success during their early years, but it would turn when kings would have start using throne titles of that might gave signs of famine that was plaguing Egypt. Very similar to the 13th Dynasty with the late kings being replace ini a very rapid succession. Showing the signs that the 14th Dynasty was becoming unstable in their power over Lower Egypt. The 14th Dynasty would then be overthrown by the foreign power of the Hyksos with the 13th dynasty falling to the Hyksos too.

Hyksos
Main article: Hyksos

The Hyksos name was translate by Joesphus that was looking over the conveys of Manetho's court. The name translate into two different meaning. With the first one being the "Shepherd king" and the second being as "Captive Shepards" It is up to debate on if the movement of the Hyksos was an military invasion or mass movement of immigration of the Hyksos from somewhere of West Asia. The Hyksos established their own dynasties in Egypt with it starting in with the 15th Dynasty.

15th dynasty[edit]
Main article: Fifteenth Dynasty of Egypt

The 15th Dynasty (c.1650 to 1550 B.C.E.) of Egypt was the first Hyksos dynasty. It ruled from Avaris but did not control the entire land leaving most of Lower Egypt under the control of both the Abydos Dynasty and the early 16th Dynasty. With the 16th Dynasty being rule not by the Hyksos themselves, but the Thebans. The names and order of their kings is uncertain. The Turin King list indicates that there were six Hyksos kings, with an obscure Khamudi listed as the final king of the 15th Dynasty.

The 15th Dynasty would have to deal with the 16th Dynasty and would have to go into conflict with the the 16th Dynasty. With the end to come when the 15th Dynasty would have overthrown the 16th Dynasty. But had to advert their attention to the north part of Egypt. With having focus on the Lower Egypt allowed the the 17th Dynasty to establish in the place for the 16th Dynasty. There was some confrontations that happen at first between both dynasties. Yet both the 15th Dynasty and 17th dynasty made some agreements to allow to co-exist and to trade with another. The end of the 15th Dynasty saw that the later kings of both dynasty had rocky relations and might have lead a conflict between both Dynasty. Leading the final blow for the 15th Dynasty was when King Kamose of the 17th Dynasty would either start or continue the war against the 15th Dynasty and would be the one to finish off the

Abydos Dynasty
Main Article: Abydos Dynasty

The Abydos Dynasty (c. 1640 to 1620 B.C.E.) may have been a short-lived local dynasty ruling over part of Upper Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period in Ancient Egypt and was contemporary with the 15th and 16th Dynasties. The Abydos Dynasty stay pretty small with ruling over just ruling over Abydos or Thinis. Every little is known about the Abydos Dynasty since it was very short lived dynasty. though we do have some king names that relate to the Abydos Dynasty but the names that appear Turin king list but it doesn't appear in any other sources.The dynasty tentatively includes four rulers: Wepwawetemsaf, Pantjeny, Snaaib, and Senebkay.

The End of the Abydos Dynasty happen when the Hyksos of the 15th Dynasty start to expand to Upper Egypt and overthrown the Abydos Dynasty in the process. The 16th Dynasty would then take control of the Abydos Dynasty land and claim as their rule.

16th Dynasty
Main article: Sixteenth Dynasty of Egypt

The 16th Dynasty (c. 1650-1580 B.C.E.) ruled the Theban region in Upper Egypt.Of the two chief versions of Manetho's Aegyptiaca, Dynasty XVI is described by the more reliable Africanus (supported by Syncellus) as "shepherd [hyksos] kings", but by Eusebius as Theban. The continuing war against the 15th Dynasty dominated the short-lived 16th dynasty. The armies of the 15th dynasty, winning town after town from their southern enemies, continually encroached on the 16th dynasty territory, eventually threatening and then conquering Thebes itself. Famine, which had plagued Upper Egypt during the late 13th dynasty and the 14th dynasty, also blighted the 16th dynasty, most evidently during and after the reign of Neferhotep III.The end of the 16th Dynasty came upon by the military pressure of the15th Dynasty. With many attempts by the 15th Dynasty with evidence of Nebiriaw 1st own personal seals being found in the Hyksos territory. sometime around 1580 BCE, the 16th Dynasty would end with King Khiyan of the 15th Dynasty conquering the 16th Dynasty.

17th Dynasty
Main article: Seventeenth Dynasty of Egypt

The 17th dynasty (c.1571-1540 B.C.E.) would be establish by the thebans little after the fall of the 16th Dynasty. Around the time Memphis and Itj-tawy fell to the Hyksos, the native Egyptian ruling house in Thebes declared its independence from Itj-tawy, becoming the 17th Dynasty. Though we don't how the Thebans were to overthrow the hyksos in Thebes. It could be with the Hyksos focusing their attention to Lower Egypt but there is still debate on the topic. For the kings all three sources for Africanus, Eusebius, and the Armenian version stated that they were shepherd kings like the the 15th Dynasty but also stated that they were also Thebans kings too. The 17th Dynasty would also see four different families that would be the ruling family. With the founding family last king not having a male heir to the throne. Leading to other powerful families establishing their families but having kings that would reign for a short time while on the throne. The 17th Dynasty would have peaceful relationship with the 15th Dynasty for a couple of years. Though it would end with the start of the reign of Seqenenre (c. 1549-1545 B.C.E,) that would start attacking the the 15th Dynasty. King Kamose (c. 1545-1540 B.C.E.) Would continue the war against the 15th Dynasty and the Hyksos as a whole. Kamose would be the king to deal the final blow to the 15th Dynasty and would be the last king for the 17th Dynasty.

The End of the Second Intermediate Period
The end of the Second Intermediate period would be when the 18th Dynasty came to power in Egypt. With the first king Ahmose actions of running out the Hyksos from Egypt power and Egypt as whole. With having removed the 15th Dynasty from power and then would consolidate the main ruling power over Egypt. By having control over the 15th and 17th Dynasty land, The 18th Dynasty was able to create a main power over Egypt. King Ahmose, he brought in new wealth for Egypt and would have start a new period called The New Kingdom of Egypt. With that new wealth and creating the strong central power in Egypt and was able to have full control over all of Egypt regions to have only one ruling power. Rather than having multiple different power groups ruling over Egypt in different regions all at the same time.

The Importance of the Second Intermediate Period
There are very important elements when it comes to the Second Intermediate Period. One of the importance is marking the time where foreign powers is in control of Egypt. The Hyksos being one of those foreign powers that would take control over much of Egypt. The Hyksos showed that foreign powers are able to take control over Egypt. The Hyksos also had influence on the the latter dynasties of the New Kingdom by having their control over Egypt expand beyond Egypt. With having the Hyksos in power being a reason why the New Kingdom dynasties would expand its territory from both the Middle Kingdom and Second Intermediate Period.