John of Nikiû: Difference between revisions

The main English translation of John's Chronicle is that of R.H. Charles (published in 1913). In it, John vividly records the fear that gripped Egypt during the Muslims invasions: "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> He also makes several mentions of the Muslim atrocities committed against the Copts: ″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 word 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> Also: "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> 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 favor of Islam.