The Sack of Damietta was a successful raid on the port city of Damietta on the Nile Delta by the Byzantine navy on 22–24 May 853. The city, whose garrison was absent at the time, was sacked and plundered, yielding not only many captives but also large quantities of weapons and supplies intended for the Arab Emirate of Crete. The Byzantine attack, which was repeated in the subsequent years, shocked the Abbasid authorities, and urgent measures were taken to refortify the coasts and strengthen the local fleet, beginning a revival of the Egyptian navy that culminated in the Tulunid and Fatimid periods.
A Byzantine fleet sacks and destroys undefended Damietta in Egypt.
On May 22, in the year 853, A Byzantine fleet sacks and destroys undefended Damietta in Egypt. This event is recorded as a Historical Events event in the history of May 22, one of 412 recorded events on this date across all of history.
Key Facts
- This event took place on May 22, 853 (AD era).
- It is categorised as a Historical Events event in recorded history.
- Referenced in 3 Wikipedia articles.
- The event is associated with a specific geographical location (see map below).
- Wikipedia source last updated on 2 July 2025.
On This Date in History 412
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