Khayan

Khayan was an ancient Egyptian ruler of the Second Intermediate Period, generally assigned to the Fifteenth Dynasty (c. 1650-1550 BCE), the dynasty of the Hyksos. His prenomen was Seuserenre. Khayan is one of the best-attested rulers of this period, with evidence of his reign found across Egypt, the Levant, and even as far away as Knossos on Crete.

While the exact chronological placement of Khayan within the Fifteenth Dynasty remains debated, he is typically placed either before or after Apophis, another well-known Hyksos ruler. His reign is estimated to have lasted somewhere between 13 and 36 years.

Khayan's monuments include seal impressions, scarabs, stelae, and fragments of architectural elements. These artifacts demonstrate a sophisticated administrative and artistic system during his rule. The geographical spread of his artifacts suggests a significant degree of control and influence, potentially through trade and diplomatic connections.

Despite the relative abundance of his artifacts compared to other Second Intermediate Period rulers, the details of Khayan's life, reign, and the extent of his power are still not fully understood, and subject to ongoing scholarly debate.

His name is sometimes spelled Khayan, Khian, or even Yan.