What Was The Overall Impact Of The Hyksos

The overall effect of the Hyksos habitation of the Egyptian lands in the development of Egyptian culture, traditions and military technology, was significant to the impression Egypt has made on world history. However from the perspective of the Egyptian kings in Thebes, Egypt was the victim of Hyksos subjugation. Therefore, the Hyksos were expelled from Egyptian territory through the ‘Wars of Liberation’ which resulted in progression in the roles of queens and foreign policy and also shaped religion and kingship. These effects continued to the death of Thutmose IV. This essay will analyse the positive and negative impacts of the Hyksos across a number of industries and the short term and long term effect of the expulsion of the Hyksos.
Firstly,

The Hyksos had superior military technology to the Egyptians, but the Egyptians improved this already superior technology in order to overthrow the Hyksos. The horse-drawn chariot was listed as the spoils of the siege of Avaris in the victory stela Kamose set up. It is apparent to secondary sources that the chariot was significant in overthrowing the Hyksos due to its design; “The (chariot) was a lightweight platform with a curved front wall panelled with leather or basketwork to which were strapped weapon cases, and a single pole for yoking a pair of horses… This construction made the vehicle light and yet strong and very manoeuvrable.” (Wilson 2002, pg. 177). The charioteer would’ve been armed with another Hyksos invention, the composite bow which could shoot at long distances and great penetration. Other weapons of Hyksos invention are the khepesh, an upper body armour of leather and bronze scales and a shield fixed to the lower half and a battle-axe. A gold-plated copper head and cedar wood handle ceremonial battle axe decorated with electrum, jewels and motifs was found in Ahhotep the Younger’s tomb. The pharaoh’s famous ‘blue war crown’ was styled from a Hyksos helmet which also had a metal disc sown onto a leather headpiece. Aside from military technology, the Hyksos are also responsible for the Egyptians bronze and silver working and the introduction of the

The modern interpretation of the rule of the Hyksos is that they were a people, possible originating from Canaan, who migrated down to the Delta region of Egypt. It is their interpretation that they weren’t oppressive rulers but more had the rule of Egyptian land because of their superior technology and techniques. These include the introduction of zebu cattle to Egypt and the introduction of olive and pomegranate trees from the north, all of which revolutionised the agriculture industry. A relief painting of Egyptians playing traditionally Hyksos musical instruments (12-string lyre, oboe, long-necked lute and tambourine) shows the impact Hyksos technology had on the performing arts. As a result of the ‘invasion’ of the Hyksos, Thebes saw fit to develop their foreign policy in Syria-Palestine and Nubia. They Egyptian could continue trade with Syria, Crete and Nubia tax-free and unrestrained by foreign oppressors. The impact of the Hyksos in Egyptian agriculture, trade and foreign policy and performing arts was largely positive among these