Dual
RIP Karl 1991-2014
636: End of the Battle of Yarmuq (present day Jordanian-Syrian border). After six days of fighting, the nascent Arab Caliphate decisively defeats the Imperial Roman army under Heraklios I, the emperor who had previously brought the Roman Empire back from the brink of destruction by the Persians and defeated them for the last time. Khalid ibn al-Walid, the Arab general, was outnumbered by a vastly more powerful Roman army, so he waged a defensive battle for the first five days, on the sixth day charging and routing the Romans while the sand was blowing in their faces.
After their victory, the Arabs gained full control over all of Syria, and captured Egypt with little resistance. It would be decades until the Romans mounted any meaningful resistance, and by then recovery of Syria, Africa, and Egypt would be impossible.
After their victory, the Arabs gained full control over all of Syria, and captured Egypt with little resistance. It would be decades until the Romans mounted any meaningful resistance, and by then recovery of Syria, Africa, and Egypt would be impossible.