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== The Rise of the Hyksos ==

== The Rise of the Hyksos ==

After several decades of immigration and increasing wealth, the Hyksos began purchasing land and and making contracts with the governors and peoples of Egypt, and the land they controlled continually expanded and increased, and very soon, they were able to exert political, military and economic power in Egypt, establishing [[Avaris]] as their capital.

After several decades of immigration and increasing wealth, the Hyksos began purchasing land and making contracts with the governors and peoples of Egypt, and the land they controlled continually expanded and increased, and very soon, they were able to exert political, military and economic power in Egypt, establishing [[Avaris]] as their capital.

By 1630 BC, the Hyksos took over the Egyptian capital [[Memphis]] and established the 15th Dynasty of Egypt, lasting from 1630-1523 BC, establishing themselves as the leaders and kings of Egypt in this time period. After this, the Egyptian capital became [[Thebes]]. A few of these Hyksos kings of Egypt are known today by name, including Sakir-Har, Khyan, Khamudi, and Apepi. In 1580 BC, the Egyptian pharaoh Seqenenre Tao received a message from the Hyksos king, Apepi, saying to him "Do away with the hippopotamus pool which is on the east of the city, for they prevent me sleeping day and night."<ref>Thomas, Susanna. Ahmose: Liberator of Egypt. The Rosen Publishing Group, 2003. pg. 26</ref> This message was sent because the Egyptians engaged in the practice of hippopotamus hunting, something offensive to the Hyksos, as the Hyksos incorporated the hippo with their religious observances. Seqenenre Tao viewed this request of the Hyksos as a challenge to his autonomy, and thus marched his army against the Hyksos. This ended badly however, because Seqenenre Tao was defeated and killed in this battle, forcing the Egyptian government into paying taxes to the Hyksos.

By 1630 BC, the Hyksos took over the Egyptian capital [[Memphis]] and established the 15th Dynasty of Egypt, lasting from 1630-1523 BC, establishing themselves as the leaders and kings of Egypt in this time period. After this, the Egyptian capital became [[Thebes]]. A few of these Hyksos kings of Egypt are known today by name, including Sakir-Har, Khyan, Khamudi, and Apepi. In 1580 BC, the Egyptian pharaoh Seqenenre Tao received a message from the Hyksos king, Apepi, saying to him "Do away with the hippopotamus pool which is on the east of the city, for they prevent me sleeping day and night."<ref>Thomas, Susanna. Ahmose: Liberator of Egypt. The Rosen Publishing Group, 2003. pg. 26</ref> This message was sent because the Egyptians engaged in the practice of hippopotamus hunting, something offensive to the Hyksos, as the Hyksos incorporated the hippo with their religious observances. Seqenenre Tao viewed this request of the Hyksos as a challenge to his autonomy, and thus marched his army against the Hyksos. This ended badly however, because Seqenenre Tao was defeated and killed in this battle, forcing the Egyptian government into paying taxes to the Hyksos.