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John's view of the earliest periods of history is informed by sources such as [[Sextus Julius Africanus]] and [[John Malalas]]. The ''Chronicle'' is most noteworthy for its passages dealing with the early 7th century. John covers in detail the revolt of the [[Thracian tribes|Thracian]] armies in [[Maurice’s Balkan campaigns#Renewed campaigns, 597–602|602]] and the subsequent overthrow of the Emperor [[Maurice (emperor)|Maurice]] by the usurper [[Phocas]]. His account adds considerably to our knowledge of the reign of Phocas and particularly to the successful revolt against him begun at [[Carthage]] by [[Heraclius]]. Unfortunately, the section dealing with the climactic [[Persian Wars|Persian wars]] waged by Heraclius is not extant.
Perhaps the most important section of John's ''Chronicle'' is that which deals with the invasion and conquest of Egypt by the Muslim armies of [[Amr ibn al-Aas]]. Though probably not an eyewitness, John was most likely of the generation immediately following the conquest, and the Chronicle provides the only near-contemporary account. John describes the major events of Amr's campaign, such as the taking of the
The main English translation of John's Chronicle is that of R.H. Charles. In it, John vividly records the fear that gripped Egypt during the Muslim invasions: <blockquote>Then a panic fell on all the cities of Egypt, and all their inhabitants took to flight, and made their way to Alexandria, abandoning all their possessions and wealth and cattle.<ref>{{cite book|last1= Charles|first1= Robert H|title= The Chronicle of John, Bishop of Nikiu: Translated from Zotenberg's Ethiopic Text, Chapter CXIII: paragraph 6|date= 1913}}</ref></blockquote> He also makes several mentions of alleged atrocities committed against the Copts by the Arabs: <blockquote>And these Ishmaelites came and slew without mercy the commander of the troops and all his companions. And forthwith they compelled the city to open its gates, and they put to the sword all that surrendered, and they spared none, whether old men, babe or woman.<ref>{{cite book|last1= Charles|first1= Robert H|title= The Chronicle of John, Bishop of Nikiu: Translated from Zotenberg's Ethiopic Text, Chapter CXI: paragraph 10|date= 1913}}</ref></blockquote> Also: <blockquote>And thereupon the Moslem made their entry into Nakius, and took possession, and finding no soldiers (to offer resistance), they proceeded to put to the sword all whom they found in the streets and in the churches, men, women, and infants, and they showed mercy to none.<ref>{{cite book|last1= Charles|first1= Robert H|title= The Chronicle of John, Bishop of Nikiu: Translated from Zotenberg's Ethiopic Text, Chapter CXVIII: paragraph 8|date= 1913}}</ref></blockquote> John also reports the prohibitive new taxes placed on the native population. In some cases, the taxes were so burdensome that families were forced to sell their children into slavery. He also admonishes Egyptians who abandoned Christianity in favour of Islam.
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