An Orientation to the Sources and Study of Early Islamic Egypt (641–868ce)

Abstract

This article surveys the most important Christian (Coptic and Melkite) and Islamic sources for the study of Egypt from the Arab conquest (641 ce) through the mid‐ninth century. Beginning with a discussion of reference works, the article turns to narrative, hagiographic, and apocalyptic texts that focus specifically on Egypt. The latter section identifies the essential print and online resources for the study of Greek, Coptic, and Arabic papyri through the ninth century.