Battle of the Pyramids
Embabeh, Giza, near Cairo, Egypt
What happened
Napoleon Bonaparte's French army fought the Mamluk-led army of Egypt under Murad Bey and Ibrahim Bey. Napoleon invaded Egypt, then part of the Ottoman Empire but ruled by Mamluk beys. Near the village of Embabeh, the French formed five large hollow squares with cannons at the corners. The famous Mamluk horsemen charged again and again but could not break the squares, and the French won.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It opened the way to Cairo. It marked the beginning of the end of about seven centuries of Mamluk power in Egypt.
What came next
Napoleon entered Cairo on 24 July 1798. Ten days later, the British admiral Horatio Nelson destroyed the French fleet at the Battle of the Nile, cutting Napoleon's army off from France.
Did you know?
Napoleon named the battle after the Great Pyramid of Giza, even though it was about 9 miles (15 km) away.
Timeline
- 21 July 1798The French win the Battle of the Pyramids.
- 24 July 1798Napoleon enters Cairo.
- About ten days laterNelson destroys the French fleet at the Battle of the Nile.
- 1801Murad Bey dies.