Hyksos

American  

[hik-sohs, -sos] / ˈhɪk soʊs, -sɒs /

noun

1. a nomadic people who conquered and ruled ancient Egypt between the 13th and 18th dynasties, c1700–1580 b.c.: believed to have been a Semitic people that originally migrated into Egypt from Asia.

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Hyksos British  

/ ˈhɪksɒs /

noun

1. a member of a nomadic Asian people, probably Semites, who controlled Egypt from 1720 _bc until 1560 _bc

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Etymology

Origin of Hyksos

1595–1605; < Greek Hyksṓs, perhaps < Egyptian ḥg ( ʾ ) ruler + h̬ʾst foreign land

Example Sentences

It is possible that in the early years of their rule in Lower Egypt, the Hyksos were able to exert some indirect control over Thebes, but distance made direct rule nearly impossible.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

Semitic-speaking immigrants from Canaan called the Hyksos flowed into the Nile delta and eventually established control there, bringing improved bronze-making technology, the composite bow, and the horse- drawn, lighter-weight chariot.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

Others suggest the early Hyksos may have been traders who settled in Egypt and later brought their extended families and others.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

Like many others who came to Egypt, the Hyksos readily adopted Egyptian culture, art, language, writing, and religion.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

For example, in 1674 B.C., horses even enabled a foreign people, the Hyksos, to conquer then horseless Egypt and to establish themselves temporarily as pharaohs.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond