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Byzantine Empire, Heraclius, Heraclius Constantine, and Heraclonas, 632 - 641 A.D.
In 639, the Islamic Rashidun army invaded Byzantine Egypt with 4,000 men. They captured the strategic town of Pelusium after a two-month siege. Reinforcements from Medina and Sinai Bedouin tribes increased the Arab force to 15,000 men. On 6 July 640, the Arab army surrounded and defeated a Byzantine army, and captured the city of Heliopolis. On 21 December 640, after a seven-month siege the Arabs captured the fortress at Babylon, Egypt. The Arabs laid siege to Alexandria in March 641. The city was heavily fortified with walls within walls, and forts within forts, was well supplied with provisions and food, and with direct access to the sea, men and supplies could be delivered at any time. It is said that Heraclius, the Byzantine emperor, collected a large army at Constantinople and intended to personally march at the head of these reinforcements to Alexandria. Before he could finalize the arrangements, he died. The troops mustered at Constantinople dispersed, no help came to Alexandria, and the city fell in September 641. Thousands of Byzantine soldiers were killed or taken captive while others managed to flee to Constantinople on ships that had been anchored in the port. Some wealthy traders also left. 'Amr is reported to have written to Caliph 'Umar: "We have conquered Alexandria. In this city there are 4,000 palaces, 400 places of entertainment, and untold wealth."SH70050. Gold solidus, DOC II-1 43e; Wroth BMC 67; Tolstoi 396; Ratto 1490; Morrisson 70; Hahn MIB 50; SBCV 769, VF, 6th officina, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, weight 4.314g, maximum diameter 19.3mm, die axis 180o, 639(?) - 641; obverse Heraclius with long beard and mustache between his sons, Heraclonas on left and Heraclius Constantine on right, all stand facing, each wears crown and chlamys and holds globus cruciger in right; reverse VICTORIA AVGu S (victory of the Emperor, 6th officina), cross potent on three steps, Heraclian monogram left, no symbol right, CONOB in exergue; SOLD
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