The coastal town of Caesarea, which had a large Greek population, was receiving Byzantine assistance from the Egyptian port of Alexandria and had managed to defy the invaders. But finally surrendered in 641 and the whole of Palestine fell.
Amr ibn al-As had been continuing his campaign of Egypt victory at Heliopolis in July 640. Realising the danger, the Patriach Cyrus- a strange character who became easily despondent in difficult circumstances and as cruel when he felt secure- quickly entered into peace negotiations and asked the emperor Heraclius for his approval, but instead the emperor accused him of defeatism and treachery.
However, Heraclius died in February 641, and his son and successor, Constantine III less than four months later. After considerable turmoil in the imperial capital, Constans II, the eleven year old son of Constantine III was crowned but failed to command the loyalty of his subjects. In Egypt itself, Cyrus had already alienated a large number of copts by the savagery of his religious persecution and they began to desert the Roman cause. Determined to resume negotiations, he hastily signed an agreement in November 641 surrendering the whole of Egypt to the Muslims.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited