Egyptian Dynasties > Fourteenth Dynasty of Egypt
Fourteenth Dynasty of Egypt
Background
The Fourteenth Dynasty of Egypt is a somewhat enigmatic period in ancient Egyptian history, marked by political fragmentation and foreign incursions. Here's an overview:
Duration and Context: The Fourteenth Dynasty is estimated to have ruled Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period, which lasted from approximately 1650 BCE to 1550 BCE. This period followed the collapse of the Middle Kingdom and marked a time of political instability and foreign domination in Egypt.
Hyksos Invasion: The Fourteenth Dynasty was part of a tumultuous period in Egyptian history characterized by foreign invasions and incursions. It is believed that the Hyksos, a group of West Asian, likely Semitic, people, invaded and established control over the northern region of Egypt, particularly the Nile Delta. The Hyksos managed to conquer and establish control over Lower Egypt during a time of weakness and internal strife in the country.
Rule and Administration: The Hyksos rulers of the Fourteenth Dynasty maintained their own distinct cultural identity and administration, while also adopting aspects of Egyptian culture and religion. They established their capital at Avaris (modern-day Tell el-Dab'a) in the eastern Nile Delta and ruled over Lower Egypt as vassals of their own foreign kings.
Cultural Interchange: The Fourteenth Dynasty was characterized by cultural interchange between the Hyksos and the native Egyptians. While the Hyksos maintained their own cultural traditions, they also adopted elements of Egyptian religion, language, and artistic styles. This period saw the introduction of new military technology, such as the composite bow and horse-drawn chariots, which greatly influenced Egyptian warfare.
Decline and End: The Fourteenth Dynasty eventually came to an end with the military campaigns of the native Egyptian rulers of Thebes, particularly Seqenenre Tao and Kamose, who initiated a series of military campaigns to expel the Hyksos from Egypt. These campaigns culminated in the eventual reunification of Egypt under the rule of the Seventeenth Dynasty and the expulsion of the Hyksos from the country.
Legacy: The Fourteenth Dynasty left a lasting legacy on ancient Egyptian history, despite its relatively brief reign and the limited archaeological evidence available. The invasion and rule of the Hyksos had a significant impact on Egypt's development and identity, leading to cultural interchange, military innovations, and political upheaval that would shape the course of Egyptian history in the centuries to come.
In summary, the Fourteenth Dynasty of Egypt represents a period of foreign domination and political fragmentation during the Second Intermediate Period. Its rulers, the Hyksos, played a significant role in shaping Egypt's development and cultural identity, despite their eventual expulsion from the country by native Egyptian rulers.
Middle Kingdom of Egypt
- Late Eleventh Dynasty of Egypt
- Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt
- Thirteenth Dynasty of Egypt
- Fourteenth Dynasty of Egypt
Dynasties
- Abydos Dynasty Of Egypt
- Eighteenth Dynasty Of Egypt
- Eighth Dynasty Of Egypt
- Eleventh Dynasty Of Egypt
- Fifteenth Dynasty Of Egypt
- Fifth Dynasty Of Egypt
- First Dynasty Of Egypt
- Fourteenth Dynasty Of Egypt
- Fourth Dynasty Of Egypt
- Nineteenth Dynasty Of Egypt
- Ninth Dynasty Of Egypt
- Ptolemaic Dynasty Of Egypt
- Second Dynasty Of Egypt
- Seventeenth Dynasty Of Egypt
- Seventh Dynasty Of Egypt
- Sixteenth Dynasty Of Egypt
- Sixth Dynasty Of Egypt
- Tenth Dynasty Of Egypt
- Third Dynasty Of Egypt
- Thirteenth Dynasty Of Egypt
- Thirtieth Dynasty Of Egypt
- Thirty First Dynasty Of Egypt
- Twelfth Dynasty Of Egypt
- Twentieth Dynasty Of Egypt
- Twenty Eighth Dynasty Of Egypt
- Twenty Fifth Dynasty Of Egypt Nubians
- Twenty First Dynasty Of Egypt
- Twenty Fourth Dynasty Of Egypt
- Twenty Ninth Dynasty Of Egypt
- Twenty Second Dynasty Of Egypt
- Twenty Seventh Dynasty Of Egypt
- Twenty Sixth Dynasty Of Egypt Saites
- Twenty Third Dynasty Of Egypt
