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 Apophis, probably the same who took the prsenomen of Aqnunri, was reigning at Tanis when the decisive revolt broke out, and Saqnunri Tiuaa I., who was the leader on the occasion, had no other title of authority over the provinces of the south than that of hiqu, or regent.  We are unacquainted with the cause of the outbreak or with its sequel, and the Egyptians themselves seem to have been not much better informed on the subject than ourselves.  They gave free flight to their fancy, and accommodated the details to their taste, not shrinking from the introduction of daring fictions into the account.  A romance, which was very popular with the literati four or five hundred years later, asserted that the real cause of the war was a kind of religious quarrel.  “It happened that the land of Egypt belonged to the Fever-stricken, and, as there was no supreme king at that time, it happened then that King Saqnunri was regent of the city of the south, and that the Fever-stricken of the city of Ra were under the rule of Ra-Apopi in Avaris.  The Whole Land tribute to the latter in manufactured products, and the north did the same in all the good things of the Delta.  Now, the King Ra-Apopi took to himself Sutkhu for lord, and he did not serve any other god in the Whole Land except Sutkhu, and he built a temple of excellent and everlasting work at the gate of the King Ra-Apopi, and he arose every morning to sacrifice the daily victims, and the chief vassals were there with garlands of flowers, as it was accustomed to be done for the temple of Phra-Harmakhis.”  Having finished the temple, he thought of imposing upon the Thebans the cult of his god, but as he shrank from employing force in such a delicate matter, he had recourse to stratagem.  He took counsel with his princes and generals, but they were unable to propose any plan.  The college of diviners and scribes was more complaisant:  “Let a messenger go to the regent of the city of the South to tell him:  The King Ra-Apopi commands