Period within the 2nd Intermediate Period. The kings originally came from western Asia, possibly Palestine, and were called Hyksos (Greek for 'Rulers of Foreign Lands'). Their residence was Avaris in the Delta. Only a small part of Upper Egypt came under their control, other small kingdoms in Middle and Lower Egypt were ruled by the kings of the 16th Dynasty, also called the minor Hyksos kings. The way to the expulsion of the Hyksos from Egypt was prepared by the last rulers of the 17th Dynasty in Thebes, and the founder of the 18th Dynasty, Ahmose, was the one who eventually achieved this.