The Second Intermediate Period was a time in ancient Egypt from about 1782 to 1550 BC. During this period, Egypt was not united under one strong ruler. Instead, it was divided into several smaller kingdoms and dynasties. This happened after the strong Middle Kingdom ended and before the powerful New Kingdom began. Historians usually include the 13th through the 17th dynasties in this period.

This era is best known as the time when a group of people from West Asia, called the Hyksos, came to Egypt. They established their own kingdom, the 15th Dynasty, and ruled from a city called Avaris. Some ancient stories say they invaded violently. However, other evidence suggests they might have settled peacefully in Egypt.

We learn about this period from ancient lists of kings, like the Turin King List. We also learn from studying small, beetle-shaped amulets called scarabs. These scarabs were mass-produced in ancient Egypt and often had the names of rulers on them.

The End of the Middle Kingdom
- Moving the Capital to Thebes
Egypt Divided: A Time of Change
Who Were the People of Ancient Egypt?
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See also

The End of the Middle Kingdom

The strong 12th Dynasty of Egypt ended around the late 19th century BC. This happened with the death of Queen Sobekneferu. She had no children to take her place, so her dynasty ended suddenly. This also marked the end of a very successful time for the Middle Kingdom.

After the 12th Dynasty, the much weaker 13th Dynasty took over. According to ancient records, the 13th Dynasty had many kings. They ruled from Itjtawy, which was the same capital city as the 12th Dynasty. This dynasty lasted for most of its existence from about 1773 to 1650 BC.

The pyramid of Khendjer is the only pyramid known to have been completed during the 13th Dynasty

Upper part of a statue of pharaoh Khendjer from his pyramid complex

Moving the Capital to Thebes

The 13th Dynasty may have moved its capital to Thebes in the far south. This move might have happened during the reign of Merneferre Ay. Some historians believe this move was caused by people from Canaan (an area in West Asia) invading the northern parts of Egypt. These Canaanite rulers had their own culture.

However, other historians disagree. They point to evidence that suggests the 13th Dynasty still controlled areas like Memphis in the north. Even though the 13th Dynasty might have controlled Upper Egypt (the southern part), another group, the 14th Dynasty, ruled Lower Egypt (the northern part). These two groups seemed to have agreed to live side-by-side and trade with each other.

The rulers during this time often changed quickly. This showed that they had trouble keeping power. Other problems, like famine (a severe lack of food), also played a role. The eventual fall of the 13th Dynasty allowed two smaller dynasties to take control of different parts of Egypt.

Egypt Divided: A Time of Change

Just like the First Intermediate Period of Egypt, the Second Intermediate Period was a time of big changes. Egypt was roughly divided between rival powers. One power base was in Upper Egypt (the south) and another in Lower Egypt (the north). Each controlled a different part of the land.

The 14th Dynasty in Lower Egypt

The 13th Dynasty could not hold onto all of Egypt. So, a local ruling family in the Nile Delta broke away. They formed the 14th Dynasty (c. 1700–1650 BC). Ancient records suggest this dynasty had many kings. Their main city was likely Avaris, not Xois as some earlier texts suggested.

The exact borders of the 14th Dynasty are not fully known. This is because not many monuments from this time have been found. Most experts believe the 14th Dynasty controlled the Nile Delta region.

Some of the first rulers of this dynasty had names that suggest they were from Canaan (a region in West Asia). These names include:

Yakbim Sekhaenre (meaning "Aya is a rock")
Ya'ammu Nubwoserre (meaning "where is the uncle?")
Qareh Khawoserre (meaning "the bald one")
'Ammu Aahotepre (meaning "the Asiatic")
Sheshi Maaibre (a Semitic name)

The most well-known ruler of this dynasty was Nehesy Aasehre. His name means "the Nubian". He left his name on two monuments in Avaris. The 14th Dynasty was successful at first. However, like the 13th Dynasty, its rulers were replaced quickly. Eventually, the Hyksos overthrew the 14th Dynasty.

The Hyksos and the 15th Dynasty

The Hyksos were a group of people from West Asia. They established their own kingdom in Egypt, known as the 15th Dynasty (c. 1650 to 1550 BC). The first king of this dynasty was Salitis. He led his people into the Nile Delta area and made Avaris his capital.

Some ancient writers believed Salitis conquered all of Egypt. However, it is more likely that his rule mainly covered Lower Egypt. The Turin King List mentions six Hyksos kings. The last king of the 15th Dynasty was an obscure ruler named Khamudi.

The 15th Dynasty ruled from Avaris. They did not control all of Egypt. Parts of northern Upper Egypt were still controlled by other groups, like the Abydos Dynasty and the early 16th Dynasty. The 16th Dynasty was ruled by Egyptians from Thebes, not by the Hyksos themselves.

**Fifteenth Dynasty Rulers**
Name	Image	Dates and comments
Salitis	Unattested	Mentioned by Manetho as the first king of the dynasty. He is not yet clearly identified with any known archaeological finds. He ruled for 19 years according to ancient texts.
Semqen		Mentioned on the Turin King List. Some historians believe he was an early Hyksos ruler.
Aperanat		Mentioned on the Turin King List. Some historians believe he was an early Hyksos ruler.
Khyan		Ruled for more than 10 years.
Yanassi		Khyan's oldest son. He might be the king "Iannas" mentioned in ancient writings.
Sakir-Har		Named as a Hyksos king on a doorjamb found at Avaris. His exact place in the order of kings is not certain.
Apophis		c. 1590?–1550 BC Ruled for more than 40 years.
Khamudi		c. 1550–1540 BC

Historians debate whether the Hyksos arrived in Egypt through a military invasion or a large-scale migration of people from Palestine. Recent scientific studies, including the analysis of ancient bones, suggest that many people, especially women, moved into the region. This evidence supports the idea of a peaceful migration rather than a full-scale invasion.

The Abydos Dynasty

Possible extent of power of the Abydos Dynasty c. 1650 BC - 1600 BC, ruling from Abydos, Egypt

The Abydos Dynasty (c. 1640 to 1620 BC) was a short-lived local kingdom. It ruled over a small part of Upper Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period. This dynasty existed at the same time as the 15th and 16th Dynasties. Very little is known about the Abydos Dynasty because it lasted for such a short time. Its rulers likely controlled only the city of Abydos or Thinis.

We know some king names from the Turin King List, but not from other sources. These rulers tentatively include Wepwawetemsaf, Pantjeny, Snaaib, and Senebkay. The Abydos Dynasty ended when the Hyksos expanded their control into Upper Egypt.

The 16th Dynasty in Thebes

The 16th Dynasty (c. 1650-1580 BC) ruled the Theban region in Upper Egypt. Ancient writers sometimes described these kings as "shepherd kings" (like the Hyksos). However, other sources say they were from Thebes.

This dynasty was constantly at war with the 15th Dynasty (the Hyksos). The Hyksos armies slowly took over towns from their southern enemies. They eventually threatened and conquered Thebes itself. Famine also caused problems in Upper Egypt during this time.

The 16th Dynasty finally collapsed around 1580 BC. This happened after continuous military pressure from the Hyksos 15th Dynasty. King Khyan of the Hyksos eventually conquered them.

The 17th Dynasty: Fighting for Freedom

The 17th Dynasty (c. 1571-1540 BC) was established by the Thebans soon after the 16th Dynasty fell. The exact details of how the Hyksos were overthrown in Thebes are not completely clear.

The 17th Dynasty saw several ruling families. Its kings often had short reigns. For a while, the 17th Dynasty had a short period of peace with the Hyksos 15th Dynasty. This peace ended with the reign of Seqenenre (c. 1549-1545 BC). He began a series of wars against the Hyksos.

King Kamose (c. 1545-1540 BC) continued the war against the Hyksos. But it was his brother, Ahmose I, who delivered the final defeat. Ahmose I then became the first king of the 18th Dynasty, marking the start of the New Kingdom.

Pharaoh Ahmose I (ruled c. 1549–1524 BC) slaying a probable Hyksos. Detail of a ceremonial axe in the name of Ahmose I, treasure of Queen Ahhotep II. Inscription "Ahmose, beloved of (the War God) Montu". Luxor Museum

Reuniting Egypt

At the end of the Second Intermediate Period, the 18th Dynasty came to power in Egypt. The first king of this dynasty, Ahmose, successfully drove the Hyksos out of Egypt. He brought all of Upper and Lower Egypt back under one rule. With this, Ahmose began a new era of wealth and power, known as the New Kingdom.

Who Were the People of Ancient Egypt?

Scientists have studied the DNA from ancient Egyptian mummies. These studies, published in 2017 and analyzed again in 2025, show that people from the Levant (an area in West Asia, like modern-day Israel and Lebanon) moved into Egypt during this time. In fact, a large part of the ancestry of people living in Egypt later on came from the Levant. This suggests that many people, especially women, moved into Egypt around the end of the Middle Kingdom and the start of the Second Intermediate Period. This mixing of people helped shape the population of ancient Egypt.

Images for kids

A depiction of an Asiatic (Hyksos) official, with a distinctive hairstyle.

The 15th Dynasty ruled Lower Egypt from Avaris for about a hundred years. Avaris is believed to have been a very large city during this time.

A "Hyksos sphinx" of Amenemhat III, later used by Hyksos king Apepi.

Second Intermediate Period of Egypt facts for kids

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