In his tomb at El Kab, Ahmose Son of Ebana left his life story. It survives today and has been recorded and studied many times.
Ahmose, a military man, fought for his country under Ahmose I (founder of the 18th Dynasty), Amenhotep I and Thutmose I. Interestingly enough during this time Ahmose witnessed the fall of the Hyksos (and with it the Second Intermediate Period) and the birth of the New Kingdom.
Ahmose actually killed two Hyksos (soldiers?) in Avaris (the Hyksos Delta capital) which he was rewarded for. Not only would he see the end of the Hyksos, but he would live to tell the tale, surviving long enough in years perhaps to influence those later Pharaohs who he fought under, or perhaps even further?
I wonder if Hatshepsut had heard tales of the Hyksos from someone who bore witness to the events. Perhaps even Ahmose Son of Ebana (although not necessarily so). He was not an unknown man- he was a decorated and very important man in his lifetime and known by Hathshepsut's father. No doubt his tale- and those of his contemporaries were very well known, not just in Thebes, but all over Egypt.
Perhaps the Hyksos stories were still prominent during this time. People still talked of their brave ancestors who expelled the foreign kings. Not only royalty, but all of those whose families stories survive via word of mouth. It was still in living memory.
Hatshepsut's mention of the Hyksos wasn't something her father, Thutmose I wrote about. This was Hatshepsut's precedent. So, why now? Could it be that she was the first Pharaoh with the time and resources since the Hyksos expulsion to restore the areas mentioned? Or, was it to show her worth as Lord of the Two lands, in comparison to those of the distant past?
Speos Artemidos Inscription of Hatshepsut, from Reshafim:
http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/hatshepsut_inscription.htm
Ahmose Son of Ebana Biography, from Reshafim:
http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/hatshepsut_inscription.htm
Ahmose Son of Ebana Biography, from Reshafim:
Photo of Ahmose Son of Ebana, from Oltau on Wikipedia:
Regards,
Stuart
