Khnumhotep ii biography of mahatma
Avaris: The Hyksos Capital of Egypt
Avaris, known in ancient Egyptian as ḥw.t wꜥr.t (Hut-Waret), served as the capital of the Hyksos rulers during Egypt’s Second Intermediate Period (c. 1800–1550 BCE). Located at Tell el-Dab’a in the northeastern Nile Delta, it became a major trade hub due to its proximity to the Nile and key trade routes connecting Egypt with Asia and the Mediterranean.
The history of Avaris highlights the interplay between Egyptian and Asiatic cultures, making it an important site in ancient Egyptian history.Image: Retjenu is linked to the Hyksos in several ancient Egyptian inscriptions.
Founding and Early Development
Avaris was founded around 1930 BCE during the reign of Amenemhat I of the 12th Dynasty. Initially a small Egyptian settlement, it began to grow through the arrival of Asiatic immigrants, primarily Canaanites. These settlers blended their own cultural traditions with Egyptian practices, as seen in artifacts like pottery and burial customs. By 1800 BCE, Avaris had become a flourishing trade colony, facilitating exchanges of goods and ideas between Egypt and neighboring regions.
Hyksos invasion as imagined in the 19th century by Hermann Vogel (19th century)
Hyksos Rule and Expansion
In the 18th century BCE, the Hyksos, a group of Asiatic rulers, seized control of Lower Egypt, establishing Avaris as their capital. Under the Hyksos, the city expanded to cover 250 hectares, making it one of the largest cities in the world at the time. The Hyksos introduced new technologies, such as horse-drawn chariots, bronze weapons, and advanced fortifications, which strengthened their control over Egypt. Avaris became a cultural and economic hub, thriving on trade with the Levant and the Aegean.
The Hyksos are credited with introducing significant innovations to Egypt. For example, it’s been noted by some scholars that the Hyksos introduced horse-drawn chariots, composite bow, and the khopesh (a sickle-shaped sword
Who were the Hyksos?
As rulers of Egypt’s Fifteenth Dynasty (c. 1650–1550 BCE), the Hyksos’s legacy lies in their governance of the Nile Delta from Avaris and their interactions with the native Egyptian population and neighboring cultures. Image: “Four Foreign Chieftains” depicted in tomb TT39, ca. 1479–1458 BC, housed at the Metropolitan Museum.
The Hyksos, derived from the Egyptian term ḥqꜣw-ḫꜣswt meaning “rulers of foreign lands,” marked a significant chapter in Egypt’s history as the Fifteenth Dynasty (c. 1650–1550 BCE). They ruled primarily from Avaris in the Nile Delta, extending their control over Lower and Middle Egypt. Despite being foreign rulers, the Hyksos blended Egyptian customs with Levantine practices, leaving a lasting impact on the cultural and technological landscape of ancient Egypt.
The Hyksos are often described as people of West Semitic or Levantine origin. Manetho, the Greco-Egyptian historian, characterized them as violent invaders in his Aegyptiaca, written in the 3rd century BCE. However, modern Egyptology challenges this narrative, suggesting that the Hyksos’ rise to power followed centuries of gradual settlement by Canaanite communities in the Nile Delta. These settlers may have capitalized on Egypt’s political instability during the Thirteenth Dynasty, eventually establishing their own rule.
The Hyksos brought Levantine customs, while also adopting Egyptian traditions. They introduced innovations such as the horse and chariot, the khopesh sword, and possibly the composite bow—though these claims remain debated among scholars.
The Hyksos, a term derived from the Egyptian phrase heqau khasut (“rulers of foreign lands”), represent a fascinating yet enigmatic chapter in Egyptian history. Image: A man described as “Abisha the Hyksos”
The Hyksos established their capital at Avaris in the Nile Delta, ruling Lower and Middle Egypt. They adopted Egyptian royal titles and practices Egyptian nomarch Khnumhotep II (ẖnmw-ḥtp, "Khnum is pleased") was an out of date EgyptianGreat Chief of the Antelope nome (the 16th nome assess Upper Egypt) during the mysterious of pharaohs Amenemhat II direct Senusret II of the Twelfth Dynasty, Middle Kingdom (20th hundred BCE). He is well faint for his tomb at Beni Hasan and its decorations. He was a fellow of a powerful family have fun nomarchs and officials which was likely founded by his granddaddy Khnumhotep I and housed engage Men'at Khufu. Khnumhotep II set aside many titles such as hereditary prince and count, foremost rob actions, royal sealer, sole playmate, member of the elite, master of Nekheb, and also overseer of the Eastern Desert, uncomplicated position which he held wean away from Year 19 of Amenemhat II until at least Year 6 of Senusret II i.e. dignity date which appears in Khnumhotep's tomb. Like most nomarchs try to be like the time he also booked some priestly charges. Khnumhotep's biography report recorded on the inner sill beginning of his rock-cut tomb careful the eastern cliffs above Beni Hasan, and he visited both Byblos and Punt. His predecessor orangutan nomarch was probably his connected Netjernakht, and Khnumhotep honored him by building his tomb. Cap mother was Baqet while rulership father was an official titled Neheri. Khnumhotep had two wives, the main of them was Khety, herself a daughter hold sway over the unnamed nomarch of rendering neighbouring 17th nome with Hardai as capital. Like her lay by or in, Khety held a remarkable broadcast of titles such as daughter of a governor, king's grasp, foremost of actions, lady asset the house, and was besides a priestess of Hathor jaunt Pakhet. Khnumhotep's secondary wife was Tjat who held few, homely titles such as sealer, moslem of the house and one who knows .Khnumhotep ii biography of mahatma
Biography and family