Amru

Amru, IBN AASS, an Arab soldier, joined the Prophet about 629, distinguished himself during the conquest of Palestine, and in 638 undertook the conquest of Egypt with a modest force of 4000 Arabs, which grew twentyfold through success. In 641 he took Alexandria (q.v.) after a fourteen months' siege, during which he had lost before the walls 23,000 men. The conquest of Egypt opened to the Arabs the path to conquests westward, and Amru himself overrun Tripoli and Barca. He died as governor of Egypt in 664.