Siege of Damietta
1219 · Damietta (Nile mouth, Egypt) · World · Medieval
After more than a year, the Crusaders took Damietta, then rashly pushed deep into the Nile Delta, where al-Kamil breached the dikes to flood and trap them, forcing them to surrender and withdraw.
Belligerents
Fifth Crusade
- Commanders
- Papal legate Pelagius
- Strength
- Coalition
Ayyubid Sultanate
- Commanders
- al-Kamil
- Strength
- Egyptian garrison
Background
The Crusaders changed strategy, aiming to take Egypt first to cut off the Ayyubids at their root before going after the Holy Land.
Course of the battle
- Siege assaultAfter a siege of more than a year, the Crusaders finally took Damietta.
- Advancing deepIgnoring advice to the contrary, the Crusaders rashly pushed deep toward Cairo.
- Dikes breachedAl-Kamil breached the Nile dikes to flood and trap the Crusaders, forcing them to surrender.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1219 |
|---|---|
| Place | Damietta (Nile mouth, Egypt) |
| Result | After more than a year, the Crusaders took Damietta, then rashly pushed deep into the Nile Delta, where al-Kamil breached the dikes to flood and trap them, forcing them to surrender and withdraw. |
| Winner | Ayyubid Sultanate |
| Casualties | The crusader forces that had pushed inland suffered heavy losses and then surrendered en masse. |
| Territorial change | The Crusaders gave up Damietta, which they had taken, and returned to where they started. |
Impact
The attempt at a strategic offensive against Egypt failed; afterward the Crusaders repeatedly targeted Egypt but could never gain a foothold there.
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