Who was Saladin and what did he do?

History.com Editors Saladin is the Western name of Salah al-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub, the Muslim sultan of Egypt and Syria who famously defeated a massive army of Crusaders in the Battle of Hattin and captured the city of Jerusalem in 1187. At the height of his power, he ruled a unified Muslim region stretching from Egypt to Arabia.

Was Saladin a friend of King Baldwin III?

Portrait of Saladin, the first sultan of Egypt and Syria and the founder of the Ayyubid dynasty. While Saladin led Muslim opposition to the western Crusaders, he also befriended some, like King Baldwin III of Jerusalem. (Credit: Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images)

What was Saladin’s greatest triumph over the Crusaders?

Saladin’s greatest triumph over the European Crusaders came at the Battle of Hattin in 1187, which paved the way for Islamic re-conquest of Jerusalem and other Holy Land cities in the Near East.

What places did Saladin conquer in Syria?

As sultan of Egypt, Saladin returned to Syria and managed to capture Damascus, Aleppo, and Mosul from other Muslim rulers. Saladin’s forces also conquered Yemen, which enabled him to consolidate control over the entire Red Sea. In addition to his military exploits, he also pursued diplomatic efforts to achieve his goals.

Why didn’t Saladin kill Jerusalem’s population?

But Saladin was the unifier and he slowly encircled Jerusalem. After the defeat of Hattin, he closed in for the kill. So why didn’t he massacre the city’s population – as they clearly expected he would. Well, the Franks of Jerusalem engaged in some pretty gritty diplomacy.

Was Saladin a merciful warlord?

It questions the whole notion that Saladin was merciful – instead he is shown as a ruthless warrior motivated strongly by religion. READ MORE: Templars and Muslims – friends or enemies? Jihadi warrior and unifier of Islam – is the description of Saladin from the programme presenter Dr Thomas Asbridge.

What did Saladin do to stop the fall of Ascalon?

After Saladin lost at the Battle of Arsuf Saladin initiated a scorched earth tactic. He quickly removed the fortifications at Ascalon, which was a strategically important city. It was a smart decision to stop the city from falling to the Crusaders.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk3aeZP6oJM