7th century – 7th century
Egypt and the Nile Valley
The Arab conquest of Egypt was the military takeover of Byzantine Egypt led by ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ between 639 and 642. Arab forces captured key positions in the eastern Delta, defeated resistance at Babylon, and occupied Alexandria after its capitulation. Religious divisions between Chalcedonians and Copts, combined with weak support from Constantinople, facilitated the conquest and enabled the establishment of a new Islamic provincial order.
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The Story
ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ entered Egypt in December 639 with a modest army, following the completion of the conquest of Syria. He occupied al-ʿArish and al-Faramā, then moved southwest along the eastern branch of the Nile Delta toward Bilbays and Heliopolis. Babylon, the strongest fortified settlement after Alexandria, stood farther south on the right bank of the Nile opposite the island of Roda.
Byzantine resistance was led by the Chalcedonian Patriarch Cyrus and the commander Theodore. After receiving reinforcements, ʿAmr conducted operations in the Fayyum and Delta while besieging Babylon. The fortress fell in April 641, opening the way toward Alexandria, the principal centre of Byzantine maritime power in the southern Mediterranean.
The siege of Alexandria began in June 641 and ended with the city's capitulation in September 642. Its large population and formidable fortifications did not prevent its occupation. Divisions among the Greek authorities and hostility toward the Copts weakened Byzantine resistance, while Constantinople proved unable to provide sufficient assistance.
7th century – 7th century
Egypt and the Nile Valley
The Arab conquest of Egypt was the military takeover of Byzantine Egypt led by ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ between 639 and 642. Arab forces captured key positions in the eastern Delta, defeated resistance at Babylon, and occupied Alexandria after its capitulation. Religious divisions between Chalcedonians and Copts, combined with weak support from Constantinople, facilitated the conquest and enabled the establishment of a new Islamic provincial order.
Continue exploring
The Story
ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ entered Egypt in December 639 with a modest army, following the completion of the conquest of Syria. He occupied al-ʿArish and al-Faramā, then moved southwest along the eastern branch of the Nile Delta toward Bilbays and Heliopolis. Babylon, the strongest fortified settlement after Alexandria, stood farther south on the right bank of the Nile opposite the island of Roda.
Byzantine resistance was led by the Chalcedonian Patriarch Cyrus and the commander Theodore. After receiving reinforcements, ʿAmr conducted operations in the Fayyum and Delta while besieging Babylon. The fortress fell in April 641, opening the way toward Alexandria, the principal centre of Byzantine maritime power in the southern Mediterranean.
The siege of Alexandria began in June 641 and ended with the city's capitulation in September 642. Its large population and formidable fortifications did not prevent its occupation. Divisions among the Greek authorities and hostility toward the Copts weakened Byzantine resistance, while Constantinople proved unable to provide sufficient assistance.