Saladin and the Crusades free essay sample

He is well known for his recapture of Jerusalem from the Crusaders in 1187 after the crusaders were defeated in the Battle of Hattin. He was also able to repel the Third Crusade that was headed by Richard the Lion heart king of England. Saladin is one of the most prominent leaders that ruled over the Muslim world. Salah al Din was born in Tikrit in 1137 his family moved to Syria a year after his birth were his father was appointed as the commander in charge of the Fortress of Imad al-Din Zengid ruler of the Zengid dynasty. With the death of Imad al-Din his son Nur al-Din became the ruler of Aleppo and leader of the Zengids. His military career started in 1164 at the age of twenty six under his uncle Assad al-Din Shirkuh who worked under Nur al-Din. Saladin moved to Egypt with his uncle with orders from Nur al-Din in order to support Shawar, a vizier to Al Adid the Fatimid Caliph, Against Durgham a member of the Banu Ruzzaik Tribe. We will write a custom essay sample on Saladin and the Crusades or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page After shawar’s victory they were asked to retreat to Syria but they refused as they said it was the will of their master Nur al-Din. After this Saladin commanded the right wing of Shirkuh’s army that clashed with crusader forces on the desert border of the Nile River just west of Giza were they triumphed. He played a major role as he faked his retreat as the Crusader forces scattered he attacked from the back. Soon after the marched toward Alexandria were they were attacked by a superior crusader force then Shirkuh split his army and Saladin was commissioned to protect the city. With the struggle between Shawar, Shirkuh, and the Amalric I King of Jerusalem over power over Egypt. Saladin assassinated Shawar and his uncle died the same year, Saladin was appointed by Al Adid as a vizier.