Saladin (Salah ad-Din)

Quick Facts

• Region: Upper Mesopotamia and Egypt (historical)
• Born: 1137 or 1138, Tikrit (present-day Iraq)
• Died: 1193, Damascus
• Known for: Ayyubid dynasty, recapture of Jerusalem in 1187

Overview

Saladin was a Kurdish Muslim leader who founded the Ayyubid dynasty and rose to power in Egypt and Syria. He became the dominant figure of the Muslim world during the later Crusades, uniting forces across the region.

He is best known in world history for defeating the Crusader armies at Hattin in 1187 and recapturing Jerusalem, a turning point that reshaped the political and religious map of the eastern Mediterranean.

Life and Leadership

Saladin began his career in the service of the Zengid ruler Nur al-Din before establishing his own power base in Egypt. After consolidating Egypt and Syria, he led campaigns that weakened the Crusader states and strengthened Muslim unity.

Legacy

Saladin’s reputation has endured for centuries in both Middle Eastern and European traditions, where he is often remembered for his military skill and chivalry. His dynasty ruled large parts of the Middle East into the early 13th century.