Following their victory at the Battle of Heliopolis in July 640, and the subsequent capitulation of Alexandria in November 641, Arab troops had taken over what was the Roman province of Egypt. The newly-installed Eastern Roman Emperor Constans II was determined to re-take the land, and ordered a large fleet to carry troops to Alexandria. These troops, under General Manuel, landed and took the city from its small Arab garrison towards the end of 645. Amr at the time may have been in Mecca, and was quickly recalled to take command of the Arab forces in Egypt.
The battle took place at the small fortified town of Nikiou, about two-thirds of the way from Alexandria to Fustat, with the Arab forces numbering around 15,000, against a Roman force. Despite a hard fight, with one of their champions being slain in single combat, the Arabs prevailed, and the Roman forces retreated in disarray back to Alexandria.
WI Romans had won the battle? could they have held Alexandria and some of the "breadbasket" of the Empire under Roman rule? How is a Roman Egypt in 7th-8th century altering History? Any thoughts?
The battle took place at the small fortified town of Nikiou, about two-thirds of the way from Alexandria to Fustat, with the Arab forces numbering around 15,000, against a Roman force. Despite a hard fight, with one of their champions being slain in single combat, the Arabs prevailed, and the Roman forces retreated in disarray back to Alexandria.
WI Romans had won the battle? could they have held Alexandria and some of the "breadbasket" of the Empire under Roman rule? How is a Roman Egypt in 7th-8th century altering History? Any thoughts?
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