The Second Intermediate Period (c. 1650–1550 BCE) was a time in ancient Egyptian history marked by political instability and foreign rule. During this period, the Hyksos, a group of Semitic people, invaded and established control over parts of Egypt, particularly in the northern region. They introduced new technologies, such as the horse-drawn chariot, which significantly influenced Egyptian warfare. This era is characterized by a fragmented political landscape, with various local rulers and dynasties vying for power. The Hyksos ruled from their capital at Avaris, while native Egyptian dynasties continued to exist in the south. The period ended with the eventual expulsion of the Hyksos and the reunification of Egypt under the Eighteenth Dynasty.