Saladin

**Saladin**


Saladin was a powerful military leader of the Medieval Times who was also well respected. He was born in 1138. His family's back round was Kurdish. His father and uncle both worked for the military which may have inspired his future career. The Damascus security forces were put under Saladin's control in 1156. After several expeditions to Egypt to fight against the Fatimid Empire, Saladin began to get more political power. He then became the leader of the Syrian army in Egypt. While he was the leader of the army he tried to capture the countries, Yemen, Nubia, and North Africa. By 1186 he had defeated Iraq, Syria, and Antolia and gained control.

After that he tried to defeat the crusaders from the Third Crusade. This is called the jihad or holy war. In 1187 Saladin won a battle against the crusaders at Hittin. Although he won a crucial battle against them there, the crusaders never entirely left. They won several battles against Saladin that destroyed the Egyptian navy. Richard the Lion Hearted defeated Saladin in several more battles. Eventually the two made a three year peace treaty in 1192. Saladin became sick soon after and died.

Saladin is described by his biographer as being devoted to bringing justice upon non-Muslims. He is also described as being polite and he always stuck to his promises. He is most remebered for his victory at Hittin and for uniting the Islam community.

Works Cited AB
 * Godfried, Warreyn. “File:Standbleed Saladin Damascus JPG.” Wikimedia Commons. Wikimeida Foundation, 29 Apr. 2008. Web. 1 Apr. 2010. .
 * “Saladin.” Encyclopedia of World Biography. Ed. Suzanne M. Bourgoin. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale Research, 1998. N. pag. Student Resource Center - Junior. Web. 11 Mar. 2010.
 * “Saladin.” The Middle Ages: An Encyclopedia for Students. Ed. William Chester Jordon. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1996. 33-34. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 8 Mar. 2010.