Who is credited with expelling the Hyksos and founding the 18th dynasty?

Ahmose is credited with expelling the Hyksos and founding the 18th dynasty of ancient Egypt. The Hyksos were a group of Semitic peoples who invaded and ruled parts of Egypt around the 17th century BCE, marking a significant period of foreign dominance. Ahmose led military campaigns against the Hyksos, ultimately driving them out and reestablishing native Egyptian rule. This victory not only restored Egyptian sovereignty but also heralded the beginning of the New Kingdom, a period characterized by territorial expansion, cultural flourishing, and monumental architecture.

The 18th dynasty that Ahmose founded is notable for a succession of powerful pharaohs who contributed to the height of ancient Egyptian civilization, including notable rulers like Hatshepsut, Thutmose III, and Akhenaten. In contrast, leaders such as Ramesses II and Tutankhamun came into prominence later, during the New Kingdom, and are recognized for their own accomplishments but did not play a role in the expulsion of the Hyksos. Akhenaten is known for his religious reforms rather than the military actions that defined Ahmose's contributions to Egyptian history.