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Wikipedia says they were Asiatic, but then says they could have been the Hebrews.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HyksosMy book doesn't give much info on them. Just says they were Semitic-speaking, infiltrated Egypt, taught them Bronze Age technology, then the Egyptians used that technology to defeat them just before the New Kingdom started.
I highly doubt the Hyksos were the Hebrews. Josephus spun a yarn….anything to increase the grandeur of his people…as if the Bible wasn't enough. LOL
My book doesn't give much info on them. Just says they were Semitic-speaking, infiltrated Egypt, taught them Bronze Age technology, then the Egyptians used that technology to defeat them just before the New Kingdom started.
What textbook are you using, if you don't mind me asking?
I highly doubt the Hyksos were the Hebrews.
I kind of don't think so either, but that's wikipedia for ya. Any guesses? Are the Asian people not that far-fetched a hypothesis?Phid, Western Civilization by Spielvogel. A lot of interesting things, but not in depth. (but then again, it's only a 100 level course)Book web site
Your book companion site has an exam there that you can read over. Interesting, but I wish it were multiple choice. I guess it's for study purposes.Perhaps they were Asiatic Semites?
I'm going on record as saying the Hyksos were actually Hittites. There is som archaelogical evidence for this and other scholars have made the supposistion. Do a Google for Hyksos and Hittites and you'll start seeing some books discussing it.
According to what I've seen the Hittites worked their way SE from Asia Minor (somewhere in Turkey) capturing Babylon c. 1595 BC; the Hyksos were being run out of Egypt about the same time (mid 1500's BC) by Ahmose of Thebes. He also captured the Hyksos homeland (said to be south of modern Syria).Horses, chariots, and advanced weapons is a common thread though. Being the same group seems unlikely to me.
According to what I've seen the Hittites worked their way SE from Asia Minor (somewhere in Turkey) capturing Babylon c. 1595 BC; the Hyksos were being run out of Egypt about the same time (mid 1500's BC) by Ahmose of Thebes. He also captured the Hyksos homeland (said to be south of modern Syria).Horses, chariots, and advanced weapons is a common thread though. Being the same group seems unlikely to me.
Your view is as valid as mine since the archaeological record is lacking to give us a definitive answer. Both the Hyksos and the Hittites were Semitic, therefore, they must have shared a common ancestor somewhere down the line. We must also remember that the terms Hyksos and Hittites are as much labels as they are anything else. We don't really know what these peoples called themselves or if these terms actually identify them 100%.
Just watched a show last night on History channel that makes the claim the Hyskos were the Jews. Something with the timing of a volcano/the plagues of Egypt/crossing the Red Sea. (the claim was standard consensus has it off by about 100 yrs or so) Don't know if it makes any sense, but it was interesting.
Jews or Semitic? Could be important? As according to what I have learned Jews are Semitic but not all Semites are Jews.Wally
Jews or Semitic? Could be important? As according to what I have learned Jews are Semitic but not all Semites are Jews.Wally
What is the difference between the two in your understanding?
Jews or Semitic? Could be important? As according to what I have learned Jews are Semitic but not all Semites are Jews.Wally
The show specified the Jews…Israelites.
What is the difference between the two in your understanding?
My understanding is that the Palestinians and other non-Jewish groups are “Semitic” too; Jewish and Palestinian being more cultural terms than ethnic (some would use the term racial… I use ethnic as there is only one “race” Homo sapiens). Semitic describes all the folks from that area rather than their individual cultures.
