Arabic conquest of Antihochy and the end of the late ancient history of the city

Abstract

The article presents the history of the relationship between the Arab tribes and Antioch the Great from the 4th to 7th centuries A. D. Despite the fact that Antioch the Great was on the periphery of Arab-Byzantine contacts, nomad predatory campaigns sometimes reached the provincial capital of Syria, in addition to this, the Saracen troops played far from the first role in the Arab-Persian wars. It is worth noting that the Komit of the East was located in Antioch, whose sphere of responsibility included diplomatic relations with nomads. Of course, the key event in the history of the city associated with Arab tribes is the conquest of the city by the Saracens in the 7th century A. D. This event completes the Early Byzantine period in the history of the city. It should be noted that the Arab «yoke» of the population of Antioch was more readily accepted than the Byzantine one and was in no hurry to return to the bosom of the empire. This is due to a number of circumstances, including the difficult religious situation in the region.