The Arab army now marches to Alexandria, which is not prepared to resist despite its well fortified condition.

As a consequence, the governor of Alexandria agrees to surrender, and a treaty is signed in November 641.

Constantinople breaks the treaty the following year and its forces attempt unsuccessfully to retake the city.

Muslim conquerors habitually give the people they defeat three alternatives: converting to Islam, retaining their religion with freedom of worship in return for the payment of the poll tax, or war.

The imperial forces, in surrendering to the Arab armies, agree to the second option.

The Arab conquerors treat the Egyptian Copts well.

The Copts had either remained neutral during the battle for Egypt or had actively supported the Arabs.

The Coptic patriarch is reinstated after the surrender, exiled bishops are called home, and churches that had been forcibly turned over to Constantinople's control are returned to the Copts.

Amr allows Copts who hold office to retain their positions and appoints Copts to other offices.