Saladin was the first Sultan of Egypt and Syria and the founder of the Ayyubid dynasty. A Muslim of Kurdish origin, Saladin led the Muslim opposition to the European Crusaders in the Levant. At the height of his power, his sultanate included Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia, Hejaz, Yemen, and other parts of North Africa.

Under Saladin's personal leadership, the Ayyubid army defeated the Crusaders at the decisive Battle of Hattin in 1187, leading the way to the Muslims' re-capture of Palestine from the Crusaders who had conquered it 88 years earlier. Though the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem would continue to exist for an extended period, its defeat at Hattin marked a turning point in its conflict with the Muslim powers of the region. Saladin has become a prominent figure in Muslim, Arab, Turk and Kurdish culture. In 1193 he died in Damascus, having given much of his wealth to his subjects. Saladin is buried in a mausoleum adjacent to the Umayyad Mosque.... More • http://en.wikipedia. ... ki/Saladin View • Books • Images • Videos • Search Related • Conquerors • Muslims • Royalty • Soldiers • 3rd Crusade • Ayyubid • Crusades • Egypt • Iraq • Israel • Jerusalem • Kurdistan • Levant • Mesopotamia • Middle Ages • Middle East • Sultans • Syria • Yemen • 12th Century • Icons • People