Alexandria was tranquil under the government of its conqueror, but
after the death of Omar, Amrou was recalled. The Greek emperors feeling
keenly the loss of Egypt, took advantage of this circumstance to make
a descent upon its coasts. At the sight of their ancient compatriots,
the Alexandrians rose, took up arms, drove out the infidels, and opened
their gates to the Greeks. Amrou, being informed of this revolt,
returned from Libya, chastised Alexandria, and drove the Christians
from its walls. Persuaded that such an example would be sufficient to
restrain the Egyptians, he again set out for Tripoli; but the Greeks
returned once more, and took possession of the port and the city of
Alexandria. Amrou, exceedingly irritated, came back; but he had
sworn, this time, to dismantle this indocile city. He kept his word;
he protected the Alexandrians as much as he could from the fury of the
soldiery; but he razed the walls, diminished its extent, and left the
inhabitants to exist amidst the ruins of their country.