Around 1650 BC, the Egyptians were defeated by the Hyksos (this is Egyptian meaning "kings of foreign lands"). These new invaders, probably a mixture of different people including the Hurrians from west Asia and Arab desert tribes, used chariots. The traditional Egyptian armies of spearmen and archers on foot proved no match for this new form of warfare. In 1570 BC, 70 years later, the Egyptians under pharaoh Amosis drove the Hyksos out. The greatest expansion of Egyptian power occurred under Queen Hatsheput (1501-1480 BC).

In 1426 BC, the palace of Knossos on Crete was destroyed, possibly by earthquake or foreign invasion (or one followed by the other). The civilization of Crete now went into decline and fell under the control of the Mycenaeans from Greece.

In 1299 BC, the battle of Kadesh between Hittites and Egyptians was fought. It is the first recorded battle in history. While the Egyptian pharaoh Ramses claimed a great victory, the fight appears to have been a draw. Each army fielded hundreds of battle chariots.