The first siege of Constantinople began in 674. After conquering territories in the Middle East and North Africa, Caliph Muawiyah I decided to attack the heart of the Byzantine Empire.Islamic-Worldnet: The Umayyad Caliphate The strong walls of Constantinople withstood the attacks, but the Arab fleet successfully blockaded the city along the Bosporus, cutting supplies to the defenders. The decisive turning point in the siege was the Battle of Syllaeum in 677, when the Byzantine navy defeated Arab fleet with the help of a new weapon, Greek Fire. A year later, Arab forces lifted the siege and retreated.

In the 7th century, Kallinikos, a Christian from Syria, invented a powerful new weapon, Greek Fire. The weapon was also referred to as Byzantine fire, or liquid fire. Effective both on land and sea, Greek fire was mostly used in naval battles. It is said that it would burn even under water. The manufacturing process was kept a secret, so that we still do not know how Greek fire was made.Stronghold Heaven: The History of Greek Fire

• 674: Arabs begin the siege of Constantinople

• 674-675: Constantinople walls are impermeable.

• 674-675: Arab fleet blockades the Bosporus

• 677: Battle of Syllaeum is fought.

• 677: Arab fleet is destroyed by Greek Fire

• 677: Further Byzantine naval victories

• 678: Arab siege of Constantinople lifted

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