In the previous article, we tackled Heraclius’ disapproval of the terms of treaty with Amr bin al-‘As and his banishing Cyrus from Egypt. After Heraclius had died, his son Constantine took over. Yet, his tenure lasted for one hundred days only, to be succeeded by young Heraclius. At that time, conflicts shook the Roman Empire. On the other hand, Amr bin al-‘As was able to conquer the fortress of Babylon, then that of Nikiu, after which he defeated the Roman troops near Santis. He conquered Crayon fortress, then marched to Alexandria. At that time, Cyrus returned to Egypt with a new treaty to present to Amr. Pope Benjamin was still hiding in Upper Egypt.
Historian Abdul Aziz Jamal al-Din maintains that Cyrus returned to Alexandria with a new treaty. As it was difficult to persuade Alexandrians to accept the treaty, he decided to convince the city’s elites. So, he assembled Commander in Chief Theodore, Captain Constantine, high-ranking officials as well as the elites, to present them the conditions of the treaty. The people of Alexandria did not know of this until some Arabs reached the city to claim the jizya, as per the treaty. No sooner had they got to know of the reasons of the Arabs’ arrival, than they rebelled against Cyrus. They marched to his palace. Yet, he used his eloquence and lofty language to show why he had accepted the treaty, telling people that he did so to avoid wars and the ensuing bloodshed, and maintain peace in Alexandria. So, the people collected the required money and gave it to Cyrus who, in turn, carried it to Amr.
Thus, despite the fortification of Alexandria, it was conquered. In fact, not one city in history was known to have been conquered except due to treason from within. Alexandria had a nine-mile-long fence which was protected by the sea, lakes, and canals, which left nothing to its army but the protection of the reachable part. Thus was Alexandria. Not a single army could approach it. The enfeeblement of the Roman Empire was another reason for the conquest of Alexandria: the death of Heraclius and the conflict on power. The Romans did not care about protecting the city, for factions were conflicting. In fact, the people of Alexandria were divided into factions that supported one commander against the other.
Resistance
Though the Emperor approved of the treaty with Amr bin al-‘As and decreed that it be declared to the Egyptians, several cities resisted, like Ikhna and Belheeb. Ikhna was close to Alexandria. Its ruler refused the terms of the treaty. So, the Arab troops fought the city’s sentries and conquered it, after which they conquered Belheeb. On the other hand, rulers of Rosetta, al-Burullus, and Damietta accepted the treaty.
After Damietta, the Arab army marched to Tinnis, which was known for its wealth. Some historians assert that the Roman Emperor asked the Arabs for Tinnis, against giving them a hundred Roman cities. Yet, they denied the request. When the Arab troops approached the city, its ruler fought them hard. Yet, he was eventually defeated and imprisoned. Thus, the city was conquered. Al-Maqrizi maintains that ruler of Shattah, located between Tinnis and Damietta, led an army from al-Burullus, Damira, and Ashmun Tanah to aid the Arab armies when they found it hard to conquer Tinnis. Thus, the Roman tenure of Egypt ended in 641 A.D. Cyrus died afterwards. Many stories were told about his death. Yet, all of them indicate the fear and sadness he was suffering from. In fact, he died before the next Easter following his return, as per the prophecy. After his death, a “deacon Peter”, a Melchite, was appointed in his stead.
The Arabs left some Roman rulers, like Minas in Lower Egypt. He was chosen by Heraclius to rule that province. Likewise, they left Senutius to govern the countryside, and Filokene Arcadia. Yet, historians assert that these three rulers hated the Copts. At that time, Theodore who succeeded Cyrus as well as his Commander in Chief Constantine started deporting Romans, as agreed with the Arabs.
Pope Benjamin Returns
After Cyrus’ death and the Romans’ departure from Egypt, nobody supported the Melchite patriarch, for thus he lost his awe. At that time, Pope Benjamin I was still hiding in Upper Egypt. Yet, the Romans’ absence led to the recession of the religious discrimination. So, Copts started to feel safe and free in worship. In effect, Amr decided that the Pope return to his See.
A Copt called Shenouda came over to tackle the Pope’s issue with Amr. He was also a Roman commander. The Pope’s place was still unknown. So, Amr wrote a letter of reassurance to the Pope in which he said, “Wherever the Copt patriarch is, we promise him security and protection in God’s name. He may come over in peace to see to the affairs of his congregation.” No sooner had the letter reached the Pope than he returned to Alexandria. The congregation rejoiced exceedingly, for the Pope had been away for thirteen years which started with the advent of Cyrus. When the Pope returned, he met Amr. Historians maintain that Amr, “ordered that the Pope be welcomed courteously. He made him see to his people’s affairs exclusively.”
The return of the Pope made the Copts quite happy. They were in dire need of his presence, especially after the persecution that took place. Some of them had embraced the Melchite creed, out of fear, not out of love. Thus, the Pope’s prime concern was to restore whoever was lost during Heraclius’ tenure, after which he started restoring the demolished monasteries and churches. He consecrated St. Mary’s Church which was built in St. Makarius’ Monastery and… Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
