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(1783 - 1550 BC) |
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from Thebes
(1640 - 1550 BC) |
In spite of enmity between native Egyptians
and the Hyksos ,
the two people seemed to witness a sort of cordial relationship in
some period. Sources tell us Asiatics were allowed to reach the cataracts
to forge trade relations.
The line of kings ruling from Thebes
(Luxor) ended with Tao I (Senakhtenre) who is thought to be the
first contemporaneous king with the 15th and
16th
dynasties of the Hyksos. Then comes King Tao II (Sekenenre). He is
also called "the brave". He was also contemporary to Hyksos
King Apepi (?). Skirmishes between the two dynasties appeared to begin
during their reigns.
Skull of Tao II (Sekenenre) with obvious wounds
from war battles which probably killed him
image courtesy of The
Ancient Egypt Site |
Tao II received a message from Apepi (we don't know which Apepi) telling
him to silence the hippopotami in Thebes because it keeps him awake
by their continuous roaring. He asked him to do something about it.
Since that time, battles erupted. We aren't aware quite well of the
heroic rule done by Tao II but his mummy can tell us about his tragic
death. The mummy has signs of blows by axes and spears.
His body was embalmed in a hurry probably in a battlefield without
the usual care Egyptians used to give to their deceased kings.
Fortunately Kamose (Wadjkheperre) succeeded his father, Tao II, and
carried on his holy struggle against the Hyksos.
Kamose (r. 1555 - 1550) gathered his senior staffs and debated the
issue, and before them Kamose swore to get rid of the aliens. He was
very determined to march despite some peaceful times. Kamose wanted
the Egyptian to remember him as "Kamose, the savior of Egypt".
Kamose led his army to continuous wars against Hyksos in Nefrusy (Hermopolis)
to landmark his first victory. He is believed to have died during
his battles. Once again, Kamose's mummy was poorly embalmed. It crumpled
when it was found. Apophis, his Asiatic counterpart died at some time
earlier.
Ahmose I, Kamose's brother, succeeded him and adopted the same line.
He also led the war against Memphis
and Avaris and the other Hyksos strongholds. Ahmose I (a.k.a. Amosis
I) surrounded Avaris for 3 years before its fall.
Due to his bravery, Hyksos had to flee Avaris to the Syrian territory
in the east.
Thus, the Hyksos Empire fell to pave the way for Ahmose I to establish
the 18th dynasty, the first of the New
Kingdom. |
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