nce
to their ruler by the energy he displayed, or by their regard for
the resources at his disposal. Thebes had never completely lost the
ascendency which it obtained over them at the fall of the Memphite
dynasty. The accession of the Xoite dynasty, and the arrival of the
Shepherd-kings, in relegating Thebes unceremoniously to a second rank,
had not discouraged it, or lowered its royal prestige in its own eyes or
in those of others: the lords of the south instinctively rallied around
it, as around their natural citadel, and their resources, combined with
its own, rendered it as formidable a power as that of the masters of the
Delta. If we had fuller information as to the history of this period, we
should doubtless see that the various Theban princes took occasion, as
in the Heracleopolitan epoch, to pick a quarrel with their sovereign
lord, and did not allow themselves to be discouraged by any check.*

* The length of time during which Egypt was subject to
Asiatic rule is not fully known. Historians are agreed in
recognizing the three epochs referred to in the narrative of
Manetho as corresponding with (1) the conquest and the six
first Hyksos kings, including the XVth Theban dynasty; (2)
the complete submission of Egypt to the XVIth foreign
dynasty; (3) the war of independence during the XVIIth
dynasty, which consisted of two parallel series of kings,
the one Shepherds (Pharaohs), the other Thebans. There has
been considerable discussion as to the duration of the
oppression. The best solution is still that given by Erman,
according to whom the XVth dynasty lasted 284, the XVIth
234, and the XVIIth 143 years, or, in all, 661 years. The
invasion must, therefore, have taken place about 2346 B.C.,
or about the time when the Elamite power was at its highest.
The advent of the XVIth dynasty would fall about 2062 B.C.,
and the commencement of the war of independence between 1730
and 1720 B.C.

The period of hegemony attributed by the chronicles to the Hyksos of the
XVIth dynasty was not probably, as far as they were concerned, years of
perfect tranquillity, or of undisputed authority. In inscribing their
sole names on the lists, the compilers denoted merely the shorter
or longer period during which their Theban vassals failed in their
rebellious efforts, and did not dare to assume openly the title or
ensigns of royalty. A certain Apop