After landing in alexandria on July 1st 1798, the French expeditionnairy corps under General Napoléon Bonaparte seized Rosetta and started marching towards Cairo, following the Nile, the source of supply for any army in such hostile environment. On July 14th, the French clash with the Mamluks and Genéral Bonaparte understands the tactics of the Mamluks which are to use their strong cavalry to push their enemies against infantry and artillery in defensive positions. The Frnech, in square formations and with high disscipline defeat the Mamluks who retreat. Now, the five french divisions find themselves at dawn of 21st of July near Cairo and "in the shade" of the nearby Pyramids. Patrols signal the mamelouks near Imbâba but their exact position and strenght are unknown. At 3 in the morning, the French army marches on, the left flank against the Nile river, in sqare formations.

Historically, both armies faced each other at 8 in the morning. the Mamlouk cavalry will charge the whole day without success, repulsed by the powerful french square formations. The Mamlouks have to retreat, demoralised.