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Definition of the 15th Dynasty
Definition: The 15th Dynasty of ancient Egypt consisted of the Hyksos succession of 'foreign rulers' during the history time period known in ancient Egyptian history as the Second Intermediate Period that occured between the periods of stability known as the Middle Kingdom and the New Kingdom.

Fifteenth Dynasty Dates: Exact Dates Unknown
2nd Intermediate Period covered 13th - 17th Dynasties from c1782 - 1550BC

The 16th Dynasty
The Hyksos kings dominated this period in ancient Egyptian history. The 16th Dynasty rulers were another generation of of Hyksos dynasty established by Salitis but were obscure and their roles were to provide military support and protection of the Hyksos people.

The 17th Dynasty
The Hyksos kings of the 17th dynasty have also been included in this article to provide an overview of the whole Hyksos rule. The fall and expulsion of the Hyksos rulers occured in this period heralding the start of the New Kingdom.

Ancient Egyptian Dynasties

Ancient Egytian Dynasties

Early Dynastic Period: 1st - 2nd Dynasties

The Old Kingdome 3rd - 6th Dynasties

1st Intermediate Period 7th - 10th Dynasties

The Middle Kingdom 11th - 12th Dynasties

2nd Intermediate Period 13th - 20th Dynasties

The New Kingdom 18th - 20th Dynasties

Post Empire 21st - 31st Dynasties

History of the 15th Dynasty and its Pharaohs
Overview with interesting facts and information about the civilization and history of the 15th Dynasty Pharaohs and Kings of the Second Intermediate Period in ancient Egyptian history.

Ancient Egyptian History - 15th Dynasty Fact Sheet

Fact 1 on 15th Dynasty: This line of rulers are referred to as the Hyksos.

Fact 2 on 15th Dynasty: The origin of the word "Hyksos" is derived from the phrase meaning "rulers of foreign lands". The Hyksos were also referred to as the "Shepherd Kings".

Fact 3 on 15th Dynasty: The Hyksos were nomadic tribes from Syria, Canaan and the east in Arabia.

Fact 4 on 15th Dynasty: The Hyksos, many displaced from their own lands by the Hittites, were forced to flee their homelands and migrate southwards.

Fact 5 on 15th Dynasty: The rise of hostilities by the Hyksos started during the 11th dynasty and by the 13th dynast they had encroached and settled on areas in the Nile Delta.

Fact 6 on 15th Dynasty: A powerful Hyksos leader referred to as Salatis seized the Egyptian throne, savagely forcing submission from the Egyptians by sacking cities, including Memphis, and demolishing temples.

Fact 7 on 15th Dynasty: The name 'Salitis' is an Arabic translation of Sultan, meaning "powerful king"

Fact 8 on 15th Dynasty: The heavily fortified city of Avaris was the power base of the Hyksos (see map below). Fortresses and strategically placed garrisons were built to enforce their rule.

Fact 9 on 15th Dynasty: The extent of their control extended from the Mediterranean to the Faiyum region of the Nile Delta as far south as Herakleopolis.

Fact 10 on 15th Dynasty: The southern cities of Upper Egypt did not fall to the Hyksos, Thebes was still strong, but tributes were paid to the Hyksos to keep them at bay.

Fact 11 on 15th Dynasty: A major reason for the success of the Hyksos was their style of warfare. They had different weapons but most importantly they had horses and chariots. The Hyksos  'foreign rulers' or "Shepherd Kings" introduced the horse and chariot to Egypt.

Fact 12 on 15th Dynasty: The Hyksos rulers were well connected in the eastern Mediterranean and established trade agreements and diplomatic relationships with Cyprus, Crete, and Canaan.

Fact 13 on 15th Dynasty: The culture and influences from these foreign civilizations became evident in ancient Egypt. And the Egyptians made use of the horse and chariots.

Fact 14 on 15th Dynasty: The name of another Hyksos leader was Sakir-Har whose title included "Horus the possessor of the Wadjet and Nekhbet diadems who subdues the bow people".

Fact 15 on 15th Dynasty: Wadjet and Nekhbet were ancient Egyptian gods referred to as the 'Two Ladies'. Nekhbet was the vulture goddess and protector of Upper Egypt and Wadjet was the snake goddess and protector of Lower Egypt as shown in the picture of the 'eye'.

Fact 16 on 15th Dynasty: By adopting this title Sakir-Har was claiming dominion over both Upper and Lower Egypt.

Fact 17 on 15th Dynasty: The Hyksos ruler Khyan adopted the royal name Seuserenre meaning "The one whom Ra has caused to be strong" thereby aligning himself with the sun-god Ra. He also adopted the title "Ruler of the foreign land" which was also used by all following Hyksos rulers.

Fact 18 on 15th Dynasty: Khyan established diplomatic relationships with the Hittite Empire.

Ancient Egyptian History - 15th Dynasty Fact Sheet

History of the Hyksos Dynasty
Overview with interesting facts and information about the Pharaohs and Kings of the Second Intermediate Period in ancient Egyptian history.

Ancient Egyptian History - 16th Dynasty

The 16th line of rulers were another generation of of Hyksos dynasty established by Salitis but were obscure and their roles were to provide military support and protection of the Hyksos people. The ancient Egyptians began their fight to regain power.

17th Dynasty - The Expulsion of the Hyksos

Fact 1 on 17th Dynasty: A powerful line of Theban kings ruled the south of Egypt whilst the Hyksos continued to dominate the North.

Fact 2 on 17th Dynasty: The Theban kings were content to allow the Hyksos to dominate Lower Egypt. For many years the two groups of rulers lived in comparative calm and peace.

Fact 3 on 17th Dynasty: The Hyksos ruler Apepi or Apophis whose name was the same as Apep the evil Egyptian god of chaos and destruction. Apepi is recorded as worshiping Set as a sole god. Set was the Egyptian god of evil, war, hostility and hot barren deserts. "[He] chose for his Lord the god Set. He didn't worship any other deity in the whole land except Set."

Fact 4 on 17th Dynasty: The hippopotamus was a symbol of Set and the Theban rulers infuriated Apepi by resuming an ancient ritual associated with hunting the hippopotamus. Apepi sent an insulting message to the the Theban King Seqenenre Ta'o II ordering the hunting to stop.

Fact 5 on 17th Dynasty: The quarrel, together with the heretical religious views of Apepi, resulted in the Thebans gathering together to oust the foreigners from Egypt.

Fact 6 on 17th Dynasty: The Egyptians had adopted the Hyksos form of warfare and the use of the horse and the chariot, advanced weapons and new military tactics. They had also introduced military training programs so were in a strong military position to expel the Hyksos from Egypt and a series of conflicts occurred.

Fact 7 on 17th Dynasty: The Theban kings King Seqenenre Tao II and his heir King Kamose were killed in the resulting war. The Theban ruler Ahmose I defeated the Hyksos and completed the expulsion of the 'foreign rulers' and founded the Eighteenth dynasty and Egypt was reclaimed by the native Egyptians.

Fact 8 on 17th Dynasty: Some theories connect the expulsion of the Hyksos people with the Exodus of the Israelites from ancient Egypt.

Fact 9 on 17th Dynasty: The Theban ruler Ahmose became Pharaoh, founding the 18th dynasty and heralding the start of the period in ancient Egyptian history called the New Kingdom.

Ancient Egyptian History - Hyksos Dynasty Fact Sheet

15th Dynasty History
Discover fast, interesting fun facts about 15th Dynasty for kids with some amazing, cool and quick information about ancient Egypt and Egyptians. Ideal for children, homework, schools, teachers and kids of all ages! Find fascinating fun facts about the history and kings of this dynasty for kids and the history, culture and civilisation of the ancient Egyptians and ancient Egypt. Interesting, fun facts about 15th Dynasty for research, schools, students and kids of all ages.

15th Dynasty Chronology - Succession and History of the Kings
The following 15th Dynasty Chronology details the names of the Kings and Pharaohs of the 15th Dynasty, the dates of the years during which they reigned are unclear. This list is incomplete due to the turbulent nature of the period.

List of the Hyksos Kings

Name

Salitis

Seuserenre Khyan

Khamudi

15th Dynasty
Learning about the ancient Egyptians and 15th Dynasty inspires everyone to visit historical sites and undertake Egypt Travel and Tours to experience the wonders of this magical land at first hand. Many people choose to experience a tour of Egypt on a Nile Cruise stopping at the famous destinations and sites of Egypt such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. The information and facts about 15th Dynasty will provide you with a great insight into Egypt and the legacy of the ancient Egyptians.

Ancient Egyptian History