Known in Late Antiquity as Khaireon (Ancient Greek: Χαιρέον) or Khaireou (Ancient Greek: Χαιρέου, Coptic: ⲭⲉⲣⲉⲩ, Latin: Chaereu), it was an important town and a port on the Canopic branch of the Nile (modern Kanoubiya canal) and a starting point of a canal connecting it to Alexandria.
Etymology
The exact etymology of the village's name is unknown. Possible explanations include derivation from an unattested Greek name Khairios (Ancient Greek: *Χαιριος) or Ancient Egyptian toponym khrouou.[1][2]
History
The town was probably founded during the reign of the 30th dynasty as a customs port on the Nile under the name Henit. A marble Nilometer was found at the site of the village.[3]
In the turmoil of 7th century general Bonosus retreated to Khaireon (mentioned by John of Nikiu under the name Demqaruni, a combination of Coptic words for "town" (Coptic: ϯⲙⲓ) and town's name).
During the Arab conquest of Egypt the commander of Khaireon, Theodore, retreated to Alexandria and surrendered the city without a fight.
Ibn Hawqal in the 10th century describes Karyun as a flourishing town that was probably a centre of a kura and a bishopric.[4]
^Wilson, Penelope; Grigoropoulos, Dimitrios (2009). The West Nile Delta Regional Survey, Beheira and Kafr esh-Sheikh Provinces. London: Egypt Exploration Society. p. 95.
^Timm, Stefan. Das christlich-koptische Agypten in arabischer Zeit. pp. 1230–1232.