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Saladin

Sultan of Egypt and founder of the Ayyubid dynasty (1137-1193) · Politicians · Lived 1138 to 1193 · aged 55

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He took Jerusalem from the Crusaders in 1187 and became the figure both sides of a religious war could admire. A Kurdish commander who rose through treachery and talent to found a dynasty, Saladin remains the most famous Kurd in history and one of the few medieval Muslim leaders the West never turned into a monster.

PoliticiansJournalistPoliticsMedieval Era

A life in dates

1193Died4 March 11931188Emir of KerakOffice1183Emir of AleppoOffice1183-11931181“This Yemen is a treasure house...We conquered it, but up to this day we have had no return and no advantage from it.”In their wordsLetter to al-‘Adil (c. 1181). Berlin 56. Lyons and Jackson (1982) ch. 11, p. 159

1177“I thought of thee, amid the thrusting of their spears, While the straight browned blades quenched their thirst in our blood - ...”In their words25 November 1177Letter to Turan-Shah, after the Battle of Montgisard (25 November 1177). Ibn al-Athir. Lane-Poole (1906) p. 156

1174“This is a victory opening the gates of men’s hearts.”In their wordsLetter to al-‘Adil, after the Crusaders abandoned their position near Hama and drew back to Ḥiṣn al-Akrād (1174). Abū Shāma, ed. Aḥmad and

Sultan of DamascusOffice1174-11931169Sultan of EgyptOffice1169-1193Vizier of the Fatimid CaliphateOffice1169-11741138Born

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Photos 12

Coin of Saladin, wearing Sasanian-style merlon crown,[29] dated AH 578 (AD 1182/3).[30]Coin of Saladin, wearing Sasanian-style merlon crown,[29] dated AH 578 (AD 1182/3).[30]Ayyubid or Zengid soldiers in Seljuk-type clothes[36] and sharbush hats[37][38] on the Palmer Cup (1200-1215)[39]Ayyubid or Zengid soldiers in Seljuk-type clothes[36] and sharbush hats[37][38] on the Palmer Cup (1200-1215)[39]Saladin's battles in EgyptSaladin's battles in EgyptExperimental crossbow mounted inside a shield, in the Tabṣira by Murḍi Ibn cālī Ibn Murḍi al-Ṭarsūsī written for Saladin, late Fāṭimid or early Ayyūbid Egypt, c. 1170 CE (Ms. Hunt.264, f.117, Bodleian Library, Oxford, UK).[45]Experimental crossbow mounted inside a shield, in the Tabṣira by Murḍi Ibn cālī Ibn Murḍi al-Ṭarsūsī written for Saladin, late Fāṭimid or early Ayyūbid Egypt, c. 1170 CE (Ms. Hunt.264, f.117, Bodleian Library, Oxford, UK).[45]Ayyubid expansion 1174-1193, including the campaigns of Saladin, Qaraqush (nephew of Saladin) and Turan-Shah (elder brother of Saladin).[61]Ayyubid expansion 1174-1193, including the campaigns of Saladin, Qaraqush (nephew of Saladin) and Turan-Shah (elder brother of Saladin).[61]19th-century depiction of a victorious Saladin, by Gustave Doré19th-century depiction of a victorious Saladin, by Gustave DoréSaladin ended his siege of the Ismaili ("Assassins") fortress of Masyaf, which was commanded by Rashid ad-Din Sinan, under uncertain circumstances in August 1176.Saladin ended his siege of the Ismaili ("Assassins") fortress of Masyaf, which was commanded by Rashid ad-Din Sinan, under uncertain circumstances in August 1176.

In their own words 4

,
Saladin
,
4 statements, newest first

  1. This Yemen is a treasure house...We conquered it, but up to this day we have had no return and no advantage from it.

    1181, Letter to al-‘Adil (c. 1181). Berlin 56. Lyons and Jackson (1982) ch. 11, p. 159, Own words

  2. I thought of thee, amid the thrusting of their spears, While the straight browned blades quenched their thirst in our blood - ...

    Nov 25, 1177, Letter to Turan-Shah, after the Battle of Montgisard (25 November 1177). Ibn al-Athir. Lane-Poole (1906) p. 156, Own words

  3. This is a victory opening the gates of men’s hearts.

    1174, Letter to al-‘Adil, after the Crusaders abandoned their position near Hama and drew back to Ḥiṣn al-Akrād (1174). Abū Shāma, ed. Aḥmad and, Own words

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Born around 1137, Saladin went to Egypt in 1164 as part of his uncle Shirkuh's mercenary contingent serving the Zengid dynasty, originally to reinstall a vizier for the teenage Fatimid caliph. After his uncle died in 1169, Saladin became vizier himself, then quietly dismantled the Shia Fatimid Caliphate from within and realigned Egypt with the Sunni Abbasid Caliphate in 1171. He seized Syria after his Zengid patron died in 1174, taking Damascus peacefully and defeating rival Zengid lords at the Battle of the Horns of Hama in 1175, becoming sultan of Egypt and Syria. His Ayyubid army shattered the Crusaders at Hattin in 1187 and retook Jerusalem, ending Christian military dominance in the Levant. He died in Damascus in 1193 having given most of his wealth away, and was buried beside the Umayyad Mosque.

Category
Politicians
Type
Politician
Status
deceased
Dates
Lived 1138 to 1193 · aged 55

Politicians born in the 1130s 6

Baldwin III of Jerusalem57.0Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke55.2Ferdinand II of León54.2Abu Yaqub Yusuf I51.5Margaret of Navarre50.7Al-Zafir50.1

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