Damietta

Damietta (Arabic دمياط Damietta, Damietta DMG; Latin Damietta ) is a port city and capital of the Egyptian governorate of Damietta on the Mediterranean Sea and the Nile Delta, about 200 kilometers north of Cairo.

History

In ancient Egypt

In ancient Egypt, the city Tamiat said. She lost in the Hellenic period by the construction of Alexandria in importance.

Time of the Crusades

Damietta was at the time of the Crusades in the 12th and 13th centuries an important city. 1169 attacked a fleet from the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the harbor, with the support of the Byzantine Empire to, but was defeated by Saladin.

During the Fifth Crusade ( Crusade of Damietta ) 1217 Damietta was chosen as the main target. The control of Damietta allowed by the local chain tower in control of the only navigable arm of the Nile, and from there wanted the Crusaders Egypt, conquering the heartland of the Muslim Ayyubids. From Egypt to Palestine, the attack would be carried on, to recapture Jerusalem, the Ayyubids difficult without support from Egypt would have to defend. Damietta was conquered and occupied in November 1219 after 19 months of siege, but in 1221 the Crusaders were defeated on the way to Cairo and withdrew without a fight from Damietta back.

Damietta was also the objective of the French king Louis IX. led the Sixth Crusade. His fleet arrived there in 1249 and captured the fort by surprise. Also on the way to Cairo, the Crusaders were defeated in 1250 and Ludwig captured, so that they were forced to return the city in exchange for their King among others. The Mamluk Sultan Baibars destroyed the city because of its importance for the Crusaders and built it a few kilometers away from the river with stronger fortifications again.

Modern

Today Damietta is connected by canal with the Nile ( Damietta arm of the Nile Delta ), so that the importance of the port rose again. The modern city has a population of about one million.

Damietta has in today's Egypt, especially by the small furniture workshops importance. Approximately 80% of Egyptian furniture are manufactured here. However, the manufacturing companies are mainly small workshops. Considered world Economically, the importance is low again.

Titularerzbistum

Damietta is still considered under gone diocese namesake for the titular Tamiathis and Titularerzbistum with names Damiata dei Greco - Melkiti.

Sons and daughters of the town

  • Johann Tristan (* 1250, † 1270), the French king's son
  • Zahi Hawass ( born 1947 ), Egyptian archaeologist
  • Essam El Hadary, (born 1973 ), Egyptian footballer
DIN 31635 Damietta Governorate Coup de main
214077
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