Saladin

Saladin (Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn Yūsuf ibn Ayyūb) was a Muslim ruler who founded the Ayyubid dynasty and recaptured Jerusalem from the Crusaders in 1187.

Ayyubid dynasty: A Muslim dynasty founded by Saladin that ruled Egypt, Syria, and nearby territories. Saladin established this dynasty, which carried his family’s rule beyond his own lifetime.
Battle of Hattin: A 1187 battle in which Saladin’s forces defeated the Crusader army near the Sea of Galilee. The victory at Hattin shattered the main Crusader field army and opened the route to Jerusalem.
Kingdom of Jerusalem: A Crusader kingdom established in the Levant after the First Crusade, with Jerusalem as its capital. Saladin’s capture of Jerusalem in 1187 transformed the kingdom’s power and territory.
Baha ad-Din ibn Shaddad: A Muslim judge and biographer who served Saladin and wrote an account of his life and campaigns. His biography is a major source for Saladin’s conduct, character, and final years.
Zengid dynasty: A Turkic Muslim dynasty that ruled parts of Syria and northern Mesopotamia during the twelfth century. Saladin served Zengid rulers before building an independent power base.
Siege of Jerusalem (1187): The 1187 siege in which Saladin’s forces captured Jerusalem from the Kingdom of Jerusalem. This siege completed the campaign that began with the defeat at Hattin.
Treaty of Jaffa: A 1192 agreement between Saladin and Richard I that ended the main fighting of the Third Crusade. The treaty left Jerusalem under Muslim rule while allowing Christian pilgrims access to the city.
Imad ad-Din al-Isfahani: A Persian-born secretary and historian who served Saladin and chronicled his campaigns. His writings provide a contemporary account of the political and military world Saladin shaped.
Nur ad-Din: A Zengid ruler of Syria who led Muslim resistance to the Crusader states. Saladin rose to prominence under Nur ad-Din, though their relationship grew tense.
Battle of Arsuf: A 1191 battle in which Richard I of England defeated Saladin’s army near the Mediterranean coast. Arsuf checked Saladin’s efforts against the Third Crusade after his capture of Jerusalem.

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