c.1650 BCE
15th Dynasty of Egypt (Hyksos)
c. 1650–1550 BCE
The 15th Dynasty is the Hyksos royal house, rulers of Western Asiatic origin who governed the north of Egypt from Avaris in the eastern Delta. Their name comes from an Egyptian phrase meaning "rulers of foreign lands". Khyan, Apepi and Khamudi are among the best-known kings.
Excavations at Tell el-Dab'a show a Levantine-influenced culture within a long trade network reaching Crete and Nubia. The older story of a violent invasion is now seen as too simple. Their rule ended when Ahmose I took Avaris.
- Dates
- c. 1650–1550 BCE
- Rulers profiled
- 4
Rulers of the 15th Dynasty (Hyksos)
Best-known rulers: Khyan; Apepi; Khamudi. Every ruler profile in the archive for this dynasty, in the order used by the chronology. Each name links to a full profile with dates, background, sources and illustrations.
Major monuments
- Avaris/Tell el-Dab’a
- seals and inscriptions
Key events
- Hyksos rule and Ahmose’s eventual conquest of Avaris.
Reading the evidence
The old invasion-and-destruction narrative is too simple.
Sources: UCL Digital Egypt; Metropolitan Museum; Shaw (2000). See the full bibliography.