★ Ex MUSEUM ★

ITEM: Scarab from Apopi II
MATERIAL: Steatite
CULTURE: Egyptian
PERIOD: Second Intermediate Period, 1580 - 1540 B.C
DIMENSIONS: 12 mm x 8 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex Museum Exhibiton of the Arbeitsgruppe für Biblische Archäologie, Germany (Deaccession)

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

Apopi II, also known as Apepi II or Apophis II, was a significant ruler during the Second Intermediate Period of ancient Egypt, specifically during the Hyksos domination of the Nile Delta region. He likely reigned during the 16th century BC, though precise dates are uncertain due to the fragmented nature of historical records from this period. Apopi II was the last ruler of the Hyksos dynasty, which was of West Semitic origin and had established control over Lower Egypt, ruling concurrently with the native Egyptian rulers of the Theban region in Upper Egypt.

During Apopi II's reign, the Hyksos maintained a tenuous hold over Lower Egypt, while tensions with the Theban rulers in Upper Egypt simmered. Apopi II faced challenges from the Theban pharaohs, particularly Seqenenre Tao and Kamose, who sought to reunify Egypt and drive out the foreign Hyksos rulers. The conflict between the Hyksos and the Thebans culminated in a series of military campaigns known as the War of Liberation, which ultimately led to the expulsion of the Hyksos and the reunification of Egypt under the New Kingdom.

Despite his efforts to maintain control over Lower Egypt, Apopi II was ultimately unsuccessful in resisting the advances of the Theban pharaohs. His reign marked the end of Hyksos rule in Egypt and the beginning of a new era of centralized power and territorial expansion under the New Kingdom pharaohs.