Battle of Heliopolis

Battle of Heliopolis
Part of the Muslim conquest of Egypt
(Arab–Byzantine Wars)

Muslim Conquest
Date6 July 640 CE
Location
Near Heliopolis (now Ain Shams outside Cairo), Egypt
30°7′45.998″N 31°17′20.000″E / 30.12944389°N 31.28888889°E / 30.12944389; 31.28888889
Result Rashidun victory
Belligerents
Rashidun Caliphate Byzantine Empire
Commanders and leaders
Amr ibn al-A'as Theodore
Theodosius
Anastasius
Strength
Less than 12,000 Possibly 20,000 or higher
Casualties and losses
Few Heavy
Battle of Heliopolis is located in Nile Delta
Battle of Heliopolis
Location within Nile Delta
Battle of Heliopolis is located in Lower Egypt
Battle of Heliopolis
Battle of Heliopolis (Lower Egypt)
Battle of Heliopolis is located in Egypt
Battle of Heliopolis
Battle of Heliopolis (Egypt)

The Battle of Heliopolis or Ayn Shams was a decisive battle between Arab Muslim armies and Byzantine forces for the control of Egypt. Though there were several major skirmishes after this battle, it effectively decided the fate of the Byzantine rule in Egypt, and opened the door for the Muslim conquest of the Byzantine Exarchate of Africa.