Muslim Conquest of Egypt - Byzantine Egypt

Byzantine Egypt

At the dawn of the seventh century A.D, Egypt was a tributary of the Byzantine Empire. The country was governed by the Byzantine civil service and military, both of which were filled by the Greek-speaking ruling class to the general exclusion of the native Coptic-speaking Egyptians. Locally, the Byzantines ruled Egypt from the capital of Alexandria, and from the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis, with its great bulwark, the fortress of Babylon, on the eastern bank of the Nile. A chain of fortress towns ran across the country from which the Byzantines kept order and collected taxes. .

Geographical separation was not the only isolating factor for the Egyptian region of Byzantine Empire. The Chalcedonian Christianity of the Byzantines held to the doctrine of Christ having two natures, one divine and one human. Egyptian Christians, however, held the christological position of Miaphysitism, Oriental Orthodox Christianity prevailed, maintaining the doctrine of Christ having one united nature. Although the Council of Chalcedon, held in 451 AD, had ruled in favor of the Byzantine position, Egypt remained a stronghold of Miaphysitism. However, even though the Chalcedonians held the principal churches in Alexandria, the native Egyptians were able to build or rebuild their own churches and monasteries, such as those of St. Michael, and Sts. Cosmas and Damian, all of which were under the authority of Pope Anastasius .

In view of these religious rivalries, the Byzantine emperor Heraclius was genuinely anxious to win over the native Egyptians, and to reconcile the two branches of the Church of Alexandria. The Miaphysite popes resided in Alexandria without being subject to any harassment.