or AMER, one of the most famous of the first race of Saracen leaders, was descended of Asai, of the tribe of Koreish, by a woman of infamous character. In his youth he indulged in poetry, and wrote satirical verses against the person and doctrine of Mahomet. His zeal in opposing the new religion prompted him to undertake an embassy to the king of Ethiopia, to stimulate him against the converts whom he had taken under his protection. It is uncertain by what arguments he was induced to change his religious sentiments; but he returned a convert to the Mahometan faith, and, along with Khaled, joined the fugitive prophet at Medina. The military talents of Amru had begun to attract general attention, when Abubekr resolved to make a new attack upon Syria, in which he obtained a high command. After several displays of his military valour and address in some successful enterprises, he rose to the elevated station of chief in Irak, when Khaled requested the attendance of all the Arabian generals before Damascus. During the caliphate of Omar he also served in Palestine, under Abu-Obediah. While besieging Cassarea, he held a memorable conference with Constantine, the son of the emperor Heraclius. Historians mention that their time was chiefly occupied in producing genealogical arguments to prove the affinity of the Greeks and Arabians, and the consequent rights of the latter as their descendants.

After the death of Obediah, Amru assumed the chief command in Syria, in which he was confirmed by the khalif, notwithstanding the opposition of Othman. An expedition against Egypt having been resolved upon, Amru wrote to the khalif, informing him that he would instantly march into that country. During the progress of his march, attended by only 4000 Arabs, a messenger from Omar arrived with a letter, containing directions to return, if he should receive this letter in the territories of Syria; but if he should receive it in those of Egypt, he might advance, and all needful assistance would be instantly sent to him. Anticipating the contents, he hastened on to the frontiers of Egypt, and read the instructions of the khalif. Then requesting some of the inhabitants to be brought before him, and inquiring of them in what country they were, and being informed that they were in Egypt, Amru replied, "Let us, then, continue our march." Having taken Pharma, he advanced to Misrah, the ancient Memphis, and besieged it for seven months. Although numerous reinforcements arrived, he would have found it very difficult to storm the place previous to the inundation of the Nile, if Mokawkas had not treacherously lessened the forces of the citadel, which was consequently taken by storm; and the Greeks who remained there were either made prisoners or put to the sword. On the same spot Amru erected a city named Fostat, the ruins of which are now known by the name of Old Cairo. The Coptic Christians, who composed the great majority of the Egyptian natives, and who were enemies to the Catholic Greeks, after this victory submitted to Amru, and engaged to provide quarters and support for the Mussulman army.

Amru pursued the Greeks to Alexandria, and, after an obstinate and bloody siege of 14 months, the city was taken A.D. 640. To Amru has generally been attributed the burning of the famous Alexandrian Library, by command of the khalif Omar. But with this act of barbarism, so repugnant to the character of Omar and his general, he is for the first time charged by Abulphraginus, a Christian writer, who lived six centuries later. It is highly probable that few of the 700,000 volumes collected by the Ptolemies remained at the time of the Arab conquest, when we consider the various calamities of Alexandria from the time of Cesar to those of Caracalla, Diocletian, and the disgraceful pillage of the library in A.D. 389 under the rule of a Christian bishop, Theophilus, a far less respectable character than the Arabian conquerors.—See Gibbon, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, c. 51.

In the year 663, of the Hegira 43, Amru died in his government of Egypt, highly esteemed, and much regretted by his countrymen. In a pathetic oration to his children on his death-bed, he bitterly lamented his youthful offence in satirizing the prophet, although Mahomet had forgiven the offence, and had frequently affirmed that "there was no Mussulman more sincere and steadfast in the faith than Amru."