Close siege was therefore laid to it.

The inhabitants, remembering the atrocities inflicted by the Persians, and the indignities that had been offered to the Savior's sepulchre, prepared now for a vigorous defense.

But, after an investment of four months, the Patriarch Sophronius appeared on the wall, asking terms of capitulation.

There had been misunderstandings among the generals at the capture of Damascus, followed by a massacre of the fleeing inhabitants.

Sophronius, therefore, stipulated that the surrender of Jerusalem should take place in presence of the khalif himself Accordingly, Omar, the khalif, came from Medina for that purpose.