Muslim conquest of Egypt.docx

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Muslim conquest of Egypt

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Jump to:navigation,searchMuslim conquest of Egypt

Part of theMuslim conquestsandByzantine-ArabWars

Date 639642

Location Egypt,Libya

Result Rashidun victory.

Territorial

changes

Muslim annexedEgypt,

Cyrenaica,TripolitaniaandFezzan.

Belligerents

Byzantine Empire Rashidun Caliphate

Commanders

Emperor Heraclius

TheodorusAretionCyrus of Alexandria

Caliph Umar

Amr ibn al-AasZubair ibn al-AwamMiqdad bin Al-AswadUbaida bin As-Samit

Kharija bin Huzafa

[hide]vde

ByzantineArab Wars

Early conflictsMutahTaboukDathinFiraz
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#column-onehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#column-onehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#column-onehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#searchInputhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#searchInputhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#searchInputhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquestshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquestshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquestshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine-Arab_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine-Arab_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine-Arab_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine-Arab_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrenaicahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrenaicahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripolitaniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripolitaniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripolitaniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fezzanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fezzanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashidun_Caliphatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heracliushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heracliushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodorushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodorushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_of_Alexandriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_of_Alexandriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amr_ibn_al-Aashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amr_ibn_al-Aashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zubair_ibn_al-Awamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zubair_ibn_al-Awamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miqdad_bin_Al-Aswadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miqdad_bin_Al-Aswadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubaida_bin_As-Samithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubaida_bin_As-Samithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kharija_bin_Huzafahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kharija_bin_Huzafahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Campaignbox_Byzantine-Arab_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Campaignbox_Byzantine-Arab_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Campaignbox_Byzantine-Arab_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Campaignbox_Byzantine-Arab_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Campaignbox_Byzantine-Arab_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Campaignbox_Byzantine-Arab_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Campaignbox_Byzantine-Arab_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Campaignbox_Byzantine-Arab_Wars&action=edithttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Campaignbox_Byzantine-Arab_Wars&action=edithttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Campaignbox_Byzantine-Arab_Wars&action=edithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine%E2%80%93Arab_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine%E2%80%93Arab_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine%E2%80%93Arab_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine%E2%80%93Arab_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mu%27tahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mu%27tahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Taboukhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Taboukhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Taboukhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Dathinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Dathinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Dathinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Firazhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Firazhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Firazhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Giza_Plateau_-_Great_Sphinx_with_Pyramid_of_Khafre_in_background.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Firazhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Dathinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Taboukhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mu%27tahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine%E2%80%93Arab_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Campaignbox_Byzantine-Arab_Wars&action=edithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Campaignbox_Byzantine-Arab_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Campaignbox_Byzantine-Arab_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kharija_bin_Huzafahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubaida_bin_As-Samithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miqdad_bin_Al-Aswadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zubair_ibn_al-Awamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amr_ibn_al-Aashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_of_Alexandriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodorushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heracliushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashidun_Caliphatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fezzanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripolitaniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrenaicahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine-Arab_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine-Arab_Warshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquestshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#searchInputhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#column-one


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Muslim conquest of Roman SyriaQarteenBosraAjnadaynMarj-al-Rahit

FahlDamascusMaraj-al-DebajEmesa

YarmoukJerusalemHazirAleppo

Muslim conquest of Roman EgyptHeliopolisAlexandriaNikiou

Umayyad conquest of North AfricaSufetulaCarthage

Umayyad invasionsofAnatoliaand

ConstantinopleIron BridgeKahramanmaraPhoenix1st

Constantinople2nd Constantinople

Akroinon

Arab campaigns in Southern ItalySicilyMainland

Later Byzantine campaignsCampaigns of John KourkouasCampaigns of

Nikephoros IICampaigns of John I

Campaigns of Basil IIGeorge Maniakes inSicilyDamietta

At the commencement of the Muslim conquest of Egypt,Egyptwas part of theByzantine

Empirewith its capital inConstantinople.However, it had beenoccupiedjust a decade before bythePersian EmpireunderKhosrau II(616 to 629AD).Emperor Heracliusre-captured Egyptafter series of brilliant campaigns against the Sassanid Persians, only to once again lose it to the

Rashidun armyten years later. Before the Muslim invasion of Egypt began, the Byzantine

Empire had already lost theLevantand its Arab ally, theGhassanid Kingdom,to the Muslims.This all left the Byzantine Empire dangerously exposed and vulnerable to the invaders.

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Contents

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1 Byzantine Egypt 2 Rise of the Caliphate 3 Rashidun invasion of Egypt

o 3.1 Prologueo 3.2 Rashidun army crossing the Egyptian bordero 3.3 Fall of Pelusium and Belbeiso 3.4 Siege of Babylon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Syriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Syriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Qarteenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Qarteenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bosrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bosrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bosrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ajnadaynhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ajnadaynhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ajnadaynhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Marj-al-Rahithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Marj-al-Rahithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Marj-al-Rahithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fahlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fahlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Damascus_%28634%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Damascus_%28634%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Damascus_%28634%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Maraj-al-Debajhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Maraj-al-Debajhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Maraj-al-Debajhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Emesahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Emesahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Emesahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Yarmoukhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Yarmoukhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Jerusalem_%28637%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Jerusalem_%28637%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Jerusalem_%28637%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hazirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hazirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hazirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Aleppohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Aleppohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Aleppohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Heliopolishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Heliopolishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Alexandria_641http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Alexandria_641http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Alexandria_641http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Nikiouhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Nikiouhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Nikiouhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umayyad_conquest_of_North_Africahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umayyad_conquest_of_North_Africahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umayyad_conquest_of_North_Africa#First_invasionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umayyad_conquest_of_North_Africa#First_invasionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Carthage_%28698%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Carthage_%28698%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Carthage_%28698%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquesthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquesthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatoliahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatoliahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatoliahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sieges_of_Constantinoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sieges_of_Constantinoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iron_bridgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iron_bridgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Marashhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Marashhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Marashhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Mastshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Mastshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Mastshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Constantinople_%28674%E2%80%93678%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Constantinople_%28674%E2%80%93678%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Constantinople_%28674%E2%80%93678%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Constantinople_%28674%E2%80%93678%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Constantinople_%28717%E2%80%93718%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Constantinople_%28717%E2%80%93718%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Constantinople_%28717%E2%80%93718%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Akroinonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Akroinonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Islam_in_southern_Italyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Islam_in_southern_Italyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emirate_of_Sicilyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emirate_of_Sicilyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Islam_in_southern_Italy#Muslims_on_the_mainlandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Islam_in_southern_Italy#Muslims_on_the_mainlandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Islam_in_southern_Italy#Muslims_on_the_mainlandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine-Arab_Wars_%28780_-_1180%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine-Arab_Wars_%28780_-_1180%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kourkouashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kourkouashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikephoros_II_Phokashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikephoros_II_Phokashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikephoros_II_Phokashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikephoros_II_Phokashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_I_Tzimiskeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_I_Tzimiskeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_I_Tzimiskeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil_II#Campaigns_against_the_Arabshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil_II#Campaigns_against_the_Arabshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Maniaceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Maniaceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Maniaceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Maniaceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusader_invasions_of_Egypt#Fourth_Crusader_invasion.2C_1168_-_1169http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusader_invasions_of_Egypt#Fourth_Crusader_invasion.2C_1168_-_1169http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusader_invasions_of_Egypt#Fourth_Crusader_invasion.2C_1168_-_1169http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantinoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantinoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantinoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Alexandria_%28619%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Alexandria_%28619%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Alexandria_%28619%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sassanid_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sassanid_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sassanid_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khosrau_II_of_Persiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khosrau_II_of_Persiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khosrau_II_of_Persiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anno_Dominihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anno_Dominihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anno_Dominihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heracliushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heracliushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heracliushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashidun_armyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashidun_armyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghassanidshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghassanidshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghassanidshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-0http://toggletoc%28%29/http://toggletoc%28%29/http://toggletoc%28%29/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#Byzantine_Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#Byzantine_Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#Rise_of_the_Caliphatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#Rise_of_the_Caliphatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#Rashidun_invasion_of_Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#Rashidun_invasion_of_Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#Prologuehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#Prologuehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#Rashidun_army_crossing_the_Egyptian_borderhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#Rashidun_army_crossing_the_Egyptian_borderhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#Fall_of_Pelusium_and_Belbeishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#Fall_of_Pelusium_and_Belbeishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#Siege_of_Babylonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#Siege_of_Babylonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#Siege_of_Babylonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#Fall_of_Pelusium_and_Belbeishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#Rashidun_army_crossing_the_Egyptian_borderhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#Prologuehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#Rashidun_invasion_of_Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#Rise_of_the_Caliphatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#Byzantine_Egypthttp://toggletoc%28%29/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghassanidshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashidun_armyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heracliushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anno_Dominihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khosrau_II_of_Persiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sassanid_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Alexandria_%28619%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantinoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empirehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusader_invasions_of_Egypt#Fourth_Crusader_invasion.2C_1168_-_1169http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Maniaceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Maniaceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil_II#Campaigns_against_the_Arabshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_I_Tzimiskeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikephoros_II_Phokashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikephoros_II_Phokashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kourkouashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine-Arab_Wars_%28780_-_1180%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Islam_in_southern_Italy#Muslims_on_the_mainlandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emirate_of_Sicilyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Islam_in_southern_Italyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Akroinonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Constantinople_%28717%E2%80%93718%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Constantinople_%28674%E2%80%93678%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Constantinople_%28674%E2%80%93678%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Mastshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Marashhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iron_bridgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sieges_of_Constantinoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatoliahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquesthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Carthage_%28698%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umayyad_conquest_of_North_Africa#First_invasionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umayyad_conquest_of_North_Africahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Nikiouhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Alexandria_641http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Heliopolishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Aleppohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hazirhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Jerusalem_%28637%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Yarmoukhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Emesahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Maraj-al-Debajhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Damascus_%28634%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fahlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Marj-al-Rahithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ajnadaynhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bosrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Qarteenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Syria


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3.4.1 Reinforcement from Madinah 3.4.2 Battle of Heliopolis 3.4.3 Occupation of Fayoum and Babylon

o 3.5 Surrender of Thebaid (South eastern Egypt)o 3.6 March to Alexandriao 3.7 Conquest of Alexandria and fall of Egypt

4 Invasion of Nubia 5 Conquest of North Africa 6 Stance of the Egyptians towards the invading Muslims 7 Egypt under Muslim rule

o 7.1 Fustat, the new Capitalo 7.2 Reforms of Caliph Umar

8 References 9 See also 10 External links

[edit] Byzantine Egypt

At the dawn of theseventh centuryA.D,Egyptwas held in fee for theByzantine Empire.The

country was governed by the Roman civil service and the Roman military service, both of which

were filled by the ruling class to the general exclusion of the native Egyptians. Egypt was ruledfrom theGreekcapital ofAlexandria,and from the ancient Egyptian capital ofMemphis,with its

great bulwark thefortress of Babylonon the eastern bank of theNile.A chain of fortress towns

ran across the country. From these towns, soldiers and tax-gatherers patrolled the country,

keeping order and collecting money, while Roman merchants and Jewish traders settled freelyunder protection of the garrisons, keenly competing with their native Egyptian rivals.

[2]

Egypt was also religiously alienated from most of the Byzantine Empire. TheDyophysitismofthe Byzantines held to the doctrine ofChristhaving two natures, one divine and one human. In

Egypt however, thechristologicalposition ofMiaphysitism(Oriental Orthodox Christianity)

prevailed, maintaining the doctrine of Christ having one united nature, where the Divinity andHumanity were inseparably united. Although theCouncil of Chalcedon,held in 451 AD, had

ruled in favor of the Dyophysite position, Egypt remained a stronghold of Miaphysitism.[3]

However, even though the Dyophysites held the principal churches inAlexandria,the nativeEgyptians were able to build or rebuild their own churches, such as those of St. Michael, St.

Angelus, and Sts. Cosmas and Damian, in addition to various monasteries, to all of whichPope

Anastasiusappointed priests and ordained bishops.[4]

In view of these religious rivalries, the Byzantine emperorHeracliuswas genuinely anxious to

win over the native Egyptians, and to reconcile the two branches of the Church of Alexandria.[5]

In addition, Nicetas, the governor of Alexandria, was also sympathetic of the Miaphysites to thepoint where their popes resided in Alexandria without being subject to any harassment.

[6]

[edit] Rise of the Caliphate
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Muhammad,the prophet ofIslam,died in June 632, andAbu Bakrwas appointedCaliphand

political successor atMedina.Soon afterAbu Bakr's succession, several Arab tribes revolted

against in theRidda wars(the Wars of Apostasy). By March 18, 633,Arabiawas united underthe central authority of the Caliph at Medina.

Abu Bakr began the wars against neighboring territories with a daring conquest ofIraq,richestprovince ofSassanid Empireunder the brilliant generalKhalid ibn al-Walid.TheRashidun

armieslaunched an offense against theByzantine Empireby attackingSyriainApril634.The

Byzantine armies were defeated in theBattle of Yarmoukfought inAugust636,and by 638 allof theLevant,Jazira,most ofArmeniaand easternAnatoliawere under Muslim control.

Emperor Heracliuswho had once re-captured the Levant from the mightySassanidPersians,was

no longer able to attempt a military come back in the Levant after losing the bulk of his imperial

troops at Yarmouk. Heraclius had already abandoned the forts west ofTarsusto create a no-man-zone between Muslim controlled areas andByzantineterritory. Thus, the Muslims had captured

the strategic trade routes and sea ports in the Levant,MesopotamiaandIraq.[7]

Anatolia was at the mercy of Caliph Umar, who rather than expanding his domain deeper intothe Byzantine Empire, chose to consolidate his power in the Levant. Soon enough, Umar

changed his non-offensive policy dramatically after theBattle of Nahvand,fought in late 641,into a completely offensive strategy that absorbed the Persian Empire within two years, from 642

to 644.[8]

However, due to the dismissal of Khalid from the army, and following consecutive

epidemics ofplagueandfamine,the Byzantines were able to hold on Anatolia and its African

territories.[9]

[edit] Rashidun invasion of Egypt

[edit]Prologue

Eighteenth dynastypainting from the tomb ofThebangovernorRamoseinDeir el-Madinah.

When Umar visitedJerusalemin 637 AD,Amr ibn al-Aasthe military governor ofPalestinetried to persuade him to invade Egypt. Umar rejected the proposal because the Levant was not

firmly in Muslim hands, and the Byzantines were still in control of territories north of Syria. Theyear638and639were marked byfamineinArabiaandplaguein Syria, respectively. After the

great plague, in late 639 Caliph Umar visited Syria to re-organized its military and governmental

structure, which was severely affected by the death of several notable governors and military
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commanders, most importantly the supreme governor of SyriaAbu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah.[10]

Amr ibn al-Aas,who was governor of Palestine and interim governor of the Levant, took the

opportunity to once again convince Umar to invade Egypt.[11]

Umar was already aware of thefact that the southern borders were insecure, and that there was always a possibility of Roman

incursion via Egypt. On the other hand, the northern borders were secured by the invasions of

Anatolia and Armenia, and the Byzantines were kept on bay by annual raids and plundering bythe Muslims in Anatolia.[12]

.Thus, Amr managed to persuade Umar to secure the southernborders by invading Egypt, an easy target due to the fractionation of the Byzantine army in

Egypt into several small garrisons, each of which was responsible to defend a small piece of land

more importantly due to Byzantines inability to concentrate sizeable troops after loosing bulk ofits trained manpower atYarmoukandnorthern Syria.Byzantines who had already lost, to the

invadingRashidun army,their resourceful province ofLevantand their hub for manpower,

Armenia,were left weak and vulnerable in their distant territories of Africa. .[13]

In addition to its

strategic location, Egypt was desired by the Muslim Arabs for its richness and prosperity. Thus,in his attempts to convince Umar, Amr was quoted saying:

O Commander of the Faithful, permit me to march on Egypt. It will be a source ofstrength and sustenance for the Muslims. I t is the r ichest of l ands on earth[14].

Umar was not favorably inclined to the proposal of a wholesale invasion of Egypt, and ratherpreferred the same strategy of raids and plundering employed at the northern borders, aimed at

diminishing the morale and resources of the Byzantines in Egypt, thus preemptively preventing

any incursion against Palestine and the Levant. Amr however persisted. Ultimately, Umar gaveway and decided to put the matter toMajlis al ShuraatMadinah.

[15]

In Madinah, the views and suggestions of the members ofMajlis al Shurawere mixed. While

few supported the invasion, others perceived it as a dangerous decision of putting the Caliphate'sarmy in the struggle of life and death.

[16]Many were of the view that Amr had a thrust for the

"throne", and therefore wanted to invade Egypt only to govern this rich land.Uthman,whowould become the third Caliph, was most prominent among those who opposed the invasion ofEgypt. Nevertheless, Majlis al Shura, finally gave decision in favor of the invasion of Egypt.

Caliph Umar, though still reluctant to expand his empire, wrote a historic letter to Amr to march

on Egypt.[17]

[edit]Rashidun army crossing the Egyptian border
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Pyramids of Gizah.

InDecember639Amr left for Egypt with 4,000 soldiers only. Most of the soldiers belonged to

the Arab tribe of 'Ak, althoughAl-Kindimentions that one third of the soldiers belonged to the

Arab tribe of Ghafik. The Arab soldiers were also joined by someByzantinesandPersianswhohad converted toIslam.Umar on second thought considered that it was idle to expect to conquer

such a large country as Egypt with vast manpower and resources with a meager force of 4,000.

Umar accordingly wrote a letter to Amr asking him to come back.[18]

A postscript was howeveradded: If you receive this letter when you have already crossed into Egypt then you may

proceed. Allah will help you and I will also send such reinforcement as may be needed. The

letter was sent through a special messenger Uqba bin Amr. Uqba caught up Amr atRafaha little

short of the frontier. Guessing what might be in the letter, Amr ordered the army to quicken upits speed. Turning to Uqba, Amr said that he would receive the Caliph's letter from him when the

army had halted after the day's journey. Uqba being not aware of the contents of the letter agreed

and marched along with the army. The Muslim army halted for the night at Shajratein, little

valley near the city ofArish,which meant that he was definitely within the Egyptian border.

[19]

Now the Caliph's letter was received and read. Amr consulted his companions as to the course of

action to be adopted. The unanimous view was that as they had received the letter on theEgyptian soil, they had the permission to proceed. To the Caliph, Amr wrote:

"We have received your letter when we have reached Egypt. Therefore in thefulfillment of destiny we proceed seeking Allah's blessing."

When Umar received the reply, he decided to watch further developments and started

concentrating fresh forces at Madinah, that would be dispatch to Egypt as reinforcement. From

Shajratein, the Muslim army marched toEl Arish.[20]

It was a small town where there was nogarrison. No resistance was offered and the citizens offered allegiance on the usual terms. That

was theEid al-Adhaday, a Muslim festival. The Muslims celebrated the Eid festival there.

[edit]Fall of Pelusium and Belbeis

In the later part of December 639 or in early January 640, the Muslim army reachedPelusium.Itwas a fortified town manned by a Byzantine garrison, which contained many Ancient Egyptian

monuments, as well as many Christian churches and monasteries. The city was considered

Egypt's eastern gate, and a branch of theNile,known as the Pelusiac Branch, used to empty into

theMediterraneannear the city. The Muslims besieged the town. The siege dragged on for two

months. Towards the fall of February 640 an assault group led by a prominent field commanderUseifa ibn Wala assaulted the fort and city was captured by the Muslims. Once they entered

Pelusium, the Arabs destroyed its churches, brought down its fotifications, and burned the shipsat its port.

[21][22][23][24][25][26].Armanousa, the daughter of Cyrus who fiercely resisted the

Muslims in Pelusium and fell hostage in their hands, be sent to her father in the Babylon

Fortress.[27]
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The losses of Arab Muslim army in the recent fighting were more than compensated for by a

number ofbedouinsliving in the desert ofSinai,who, scenting war and plunder, had joined the

invaders in conquering Egypt.[28]

These bedouins belonged to the tribes of Rashidah andLakhm

[29]The ease with whichPelusiumfell to the Muslim Arabs, and the lack of Byzantine

reinforcements to aid the city during the one-month long siege is often attributed to the betrayal

and treachery of the governor of Egypt,Cyrus,who was also theMelchite(i.e., ByzantineChalcedonian Diaphysite)Patriarch of Alexandria.[30][31]

He is one of the authors ofmonothelism,a seventh century heresy, and some supposed him to have been secretly a convert

toIslam.

After the fall of Pelusium the Muslims marched toBilbeis40 miles fromMemphis.Amr headed

via desert roads towardsBelbeis. Belbeiswas the first place inEgyptwhere the Byzantines

showed some resistance towards the Arab invaders. It was a fortified town, and the Muslimsbesieged it. Two Christian monks accompanied byCyrus of Alexandriaand the famous

Byzantine general Aretion came out to negotiate with'Amr ibn al-'As.Aretion was previously

the Byzantine governor ofJerusalem,and had fled the city to Egypt when it fell to Umar ibn al-

Khattab. Ibn al-'As gave them three options: to convert toIslam,to payJizya,or war. So theyrequested 3 days to reflect, then - as mentionsal-Tabari- requested 2 extra days. At the end of

the 5 days, the 2 monks and the Byzantine general decided to rejectIslamand to refuse to payJizya,and chose to fight the invading Muslims. They thus disobeyed their ruler,Cyrus ofAlexandria,who wanted to surrender and payJizya.Cyrus subsequently left for theBabylon

Fortress,while the 2 monks and Aretion decided to fight the Arabs. The fight resulted in the

victory of the latter and the death of Aretion. 'Amr ibn al-'As subsequently attempted to convincethe native Egyptians to aid the Arabs and surrender the city, based on the kinship between

Egyptians and Arabs viaHagar.[32]

The Egyptians refused, the city ofBilbeisfall after a siege

that lasted for a month, and towards the end ofMarch640the city surrendered to the Muslims.

From Bilbeis the Muslims marched toBabylon.[33]

With the fall of Belbeis, the Arabs were onlyone day away from the head of theDelta.

[edit]Siege of Babylon

Map detailing the route of Muslim's invasion of Egypt.

Amr had visualized that the conquest of Egypt would be a walkover. This expectation wasbelied. Even at the outposts of Pelusium and Bilbeis the Muslims had to meet stiff resistance.

The siege of Pelusium had lasted for two months and that of Bilbeis for one month. Babylon was
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ypt#cite_note-32http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon_Fortresshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/640http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilbeishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-31http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon_Fortresshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon_Fortresshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jizyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_of_Alexandriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_of_Alexandriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jizyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_ibn_Jarir_al-Tabarihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jizyahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%27Amr_ibn_al-%27Ashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_of_Alexandriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belbeishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belbeishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilbeishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monothelismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarch_of_Alexandriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melchitehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_of_Alexandriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelusiumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-28http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinaihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedouins


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a larger and more important city, Close to it was Memphis the ancient capital of the Pharaohs.

Here resistance on a larger scale was expected.[34]

Amr nevertheless persevered and pushed on to

Babylon. Meanwhile the reinforcement at Madinah was almost ready to march. After the fall ofBilbeis the Muslims advanced to Babylon, near modern Cairo. The Muslims arrived before

Babylon some time inMay640A.D.[35]

Babylon was a fortified city, and the Byzantines had

prepared it for a siege. Outside the city, aditchhad been dug, and a large force was positioned inthe area between the ditch and the city walls. Muslims besieged the fort of Babylon some time inMay640.The fort was a massive structure 60 ft. high with walls more than 6 ft. thick and

studded with numeroustowersandbastions.As soon as Amr arrived at Babylon he formed up

his force of 4,000 men in assault formation and attacked the Byzantine positions in front of himit led to some hard fighting, and the attack was repulsed by the Byzantines. Amr pulled his men

back and went into camp near the east bank of the Nile.[36]

Early Muslim sources place the

strength of the Byzantine force in Babylon about six times the strength of the Muslim force. For

next two months the fighting remained inconclusive, with Byzantines having an upper hand byrepulsing every Muslim assault.

[37]

Some time inMay640A.D, Amr sent a detachment to raid against the city ofFayoum.TheByzantines had anticipated this raid, and thus strongly guarded the roads leading to the city.

They had also fortified their garrison in the nearby town ofLahun.When the Muslim Arabsrealized thatFayoumwas too fortified for them to invade, they headed towards theWesternDesertwhere they looted all the cattle and animals they could. They subsequently headed to

Oxyrhynchus(Per-Medjed), which they forcefully invaded, killing all its men, women and

children. Failing to invadeFayoum,the Muslim Arabs returned toLower Egyptdown theRiverNile.

[38]

[edit]Reinforcement from Madinah

InJuly,Amr wrote to Umar asking for reinforcement, before the letter could reach Caliph, Umarhad already dispatched first reinforcement of 4000 strong. The army mostly comprises theveterans ofSyrian campaigns.Even with this reinforcement, Amr got no success. It was not until

the final reinforcement under Zubair joined Muslim forces in Egypt, that Muslim got success. By

August640,Umar's concentration of the 4000 strong elite force had completed. It comprisedfour columns each column was one thousand strong and commanded by its own commander,

whileZubair ibn al-Awam,a renowned warrior and commander, veteran ofBattle of Yarmouk

and once a part ofKhalid ibn Walid's elite forcemobile guard,was appointed the supreme

commander of army. Umar indeed offered Zubair the Chief command and governorship ofEgypt, which Zubair didn't accept. Other commanders wereMiqdad bin Al-Aswad;Ubaida bin

As-Samit,andKharija bin Huzafa.Each Commander was famous in military prowess to be equal

to a thousand men, and was the counterpart of PersianHazer Mardor Romangladiators.This

reinforcement arrived at Babylon sometime inSeptember640.The total strength of the Muslimforce now rose to 12,000, quite a modest strength to resume offensive.

[39]

[edit]Battle of Heliopolis

Ten miles from Babylon wasHeliopolis.[40]

It was the city of the Sun Temple of thePharaohs,and was famous for its grandiose monuments and learning facilities.

[41].There was the danger
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i/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-38http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-38http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt&action=edit&section=9http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt&action=edit&section=9http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt&action=edit&section=9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliopolishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliopolishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliopolishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-39http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-39http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharaohshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharaohshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharaohshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-40http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-40http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-40http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-40http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharaohshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-39http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliopolishttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt&action=edit&section=9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-38http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/640http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septemberhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladiatorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hazer_Mard&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kharija_bin_Huzafahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubaida_bin_As-Samithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubaida_bin_As-Samithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miqdad_bin_Al-Aswadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_guardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalid_ibn_Walidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Yarmoukhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zubair_ibn_al-Awamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/640http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augusthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Syriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt&action=edit&section=8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-37http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Nilehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Nilehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lower_Egypthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fayoumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxyrhynchushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Desert_%28North_Africa%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Desert_%28North_Africa%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fayoumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lahunhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fayoumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/640http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-36http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-35http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Towerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/640http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ditchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-34http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/640http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-33


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that some Byzantine force from Heliopolis might attack the Muslims from the flank while it was

engaged with the Byzantine army at Babylon. With some detachments Amr and Zubeir marched

to Heliopolis. There was a cavalry clash near the current neighbourhood ofAbbaseya,theengagement was not decisive although it resulted in the occupation of the fortress located

between the current neighbourhoods of Abdyn and Azbakeya. The defeated Byzantine soldiers

retreated to either theBabylon Fortressor the fortress of Niki.

[42]

At an unguarded point of thewall of Heliopolis, Zubeir and some of his picked soldiers scaled the wall of the city, (similar towhatKhaliddid atSiege of Damascus)and after overpowering the guards opened the gates for

the main Muslim army to enter the city. The city was thus captured by the Muslims. Amr and

Zubair returned to Babylon.

[edit]Occupation of Fayoum and Babylon

When the news of the Arabs' victory atHeliopolisreachedFayoum,its Byzantine garrison under

the command of Domentianus evacuated the city during the night and fled to Abuit. From Abuit,

they subsequently fled down theNileto Nikiu without telling the people of Fayoum and Abuit

that they were abandoning their cities to the enemy. When the news reached Amr, he ordered abody of his troops to cross theNileand invade Fayoum and Abuit. The Muslim soldiers thus

captured the entire province ofFayoumwithout any resistance from the Byzantines.[43]

TheByzantine armyatBabylonnow grew bolder then ever before, had began to sally forth

across the ditch, though were little successful. There have been a stalemate between Muslim andByzantine forces at Babylon, to break this stalemate Muslim high command devised an

ingenious strategy and inflicted heavy casualties on Byzantines by encircling them from three

sides in one of their such sally, though Byzantines were able to retreat back to the fort but were

left too weak for any offensive. This situation forced Byzantines to enter in negotiations withMuslims. The Byzantine General Theodorus shifted his headquarter to Isle of Rauda. While

Cyrus of Alexandria,popularly known asMaquaqasin Muslim history entered in negotiationswith Muslim, which failed to give any productive results. Emissaries were also exchangedbetween Byzantine commander Theodorus and Muslim commander Amr ibn al-Aas. Amr also

went to see Theodorus in person. After all negotiations failed on the20 Decemberwhen it was a

moonless night, Zubeir and his picked warriors managed to scale the wall, killing the guards theyopen the gates for the Muslim army to enter. The city of Babylon was captured by the Muslims

on21 December640.However Theodorus and his army managed to slipped away to island of

Rauda during night.[44]

[edit]Surrender of Thebaid (South eastern Egypt)

On the 22nd of December,Cyrus of Alexandriaentered into a treaty with the Muslims.

[45]

By thetreaty, Muslim sovereignty over the whole of Egypt, and effectively onThebaid,was recognized,and the Egyptians agreed to pay Jizya at the rate of 2 diners per male adult.

[46]The treaty was

subject to the approval of the emperor Heraclius, but Cyrus of Alexandria stipulated that even if

the emperor repudiated the treaty, he and theCoptsof whom he was the High Priest would honorthe terms of the treaty, recognize the supremacy of the Muslims and pay themJizya.

[47]Cyrus of

Alexandria submitted a report to Heraclius and asked for his approval to the terms of the treaty.

He also offered reasons in justification of the acceptance of the terms of the treaty. Amr
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ascushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalid_ibn_Walidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_conquest_of_Egypt#cite_note-41http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon_Fortresshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbaseya


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submitted a detailed report to Umar and asked for his further instructions. When Umar received

the report of Amr bin Al-Aas about the invasion of Babylon and the treaty with Cyrus of

Alexandria, he wrote back to say that he approved of the terms provided Heraclius agreed tosubmit to them.

[48]He desired that as soon as the reactions of Heraclius were known, he should

be informed so that further necessary instructions might be issued.[49]

Heraclius's reaction to the

report of Cyrus of Alexandria was violent. He removed Cyrus of Alexandria from theViceroyship of Egypt, but he remained the Head of the Coptic Church. This was a matter inwhich the emperor could not interfere. Heraclius sent strict orders to the Commander-in-chief of

the Byzantine forces in Egypt that the Muslims should be driven from the soil of Egypt. Cyrus of

Alexandria waited on Amr and told him that Heraclius had repudiated the treaty of Babylon.Cyrus of Alexandria assured Amr that so far as the Copts were concerned the terms of the treaty

would be followed. Amr reported these developments to Umar, and Umar desired that before the

Byzantines could gather further strength the Muslims should strike at them and drive them from

Alexandria. It is recorded that Cyrus of Alexandria asked for three favors from the Muslims,namely:

1.

Do not break your treaty with theCopts;2. If the Byzantines after this repudiation ask for peace, do not make peace with them, buttreat them as captives and slaves; and

3. When I am dead allow me to be buried in theChurchofSt. JohnatAlexandria.[50][51]This position was to the advantage of the Muslims. The Copts were the real natives of the land of

Egypt.[52]

Both the Byzantines and the Muslims were strangers. Though some Copts frompersonal considerations continued to support theByzantines,the sympathies of the Copts were

now by and large with the Muslims. The Copts were not supposed to fight against the Byzantines

on behalf of the Muslims but they undertook to help the Muslims in the promotion of war effort,help them in the provision of stores; build roads and bridges for them; and provide them moral

support.[53]

[edit]March to Alexandria

Ancient Roman theaters in Alexandria.

Byzantine commanders knew that after Babylon the next target of the Muslims would beAlexandria.They accordingly prepared for the siege to be laid on the city. Their strategy was to
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Documents

Muslim conquest of Egypt.docx