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Saladin

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Saladin was a very famous Kurdish leader and commander.

Saladin the Victorious
Saladin the Victorious

He was born in the city of Tikrit in what is now Iraq. His father, Najm ad-Din Ayyub, was a soldier who served as a warden. Saladin was a very smart student during his youth. He studied many things like law and math. He also knew a lot about the Qur'an and religious history.

Dirham of Saladin, 1215-1216
Dirham of Saladin, 1215-1216

He could speak many languages, including Kurdish, Arabic, Turkish, and Persian.

Saladin started his work in the military with his uncle, Shirkuh. In 1164, they went to Egypt to help a leader named Shawar.

Saladin in Egypt Conquest
Saladin in Egypt Conquest

During this time, Saladin helped lead troops in the Battle of al-Babein. This battle took place near the Nile River. Saladin's unit helped lure the enemy into a trap. After his uncle Shirkuh died in 1169, Saladin became a top official in Egypt. He was called a vizier, which is a high-ranking helper to a ruler. He eventually became the Sultan of both Egypt and Syria.

As a Sultan, Saladin built a very large empire.

Ayyubid expansion 1174-1193
Ayyubid expansion 1174-1193

His lands included Egypt, Syria, and parts of many other places. He moved into Damascus in Syria very peacefully. By 1182, he had also captured the city of Aleppo. Saladin was a very religious man who supported many schools. He also built hostels for travelers and religious students. He wanted to make sure his people had what they needed to learn.

Saladin is most known for his battles against the Crusaders. The Crusaders were groups from Europe who held lands in the Levant.

JacobsFordBattlefield
JacobsFordBattlefield

In 1187, Saladin led his army to a big win at the Battle of Hattin. This victory was a major turning point in history. Because of this win, Saladin was able to take control of Jerusalem. This changed how the Christian and Muslim powers worked in that region. He proved to be a very strong and skilled military leader.

Saladin died in the city of Damascus in 1193.

Husam al-Din Yuluq Arslan, Mardin, 589 H (1193 CE). Four women mourning the death of Saladin
Husam al-Din Yuluq Arslan, Mardin, 589 H (1193 CE). Four women mourning the death of Saladin

He was a generous man even at the end of his life. He gave away most of his personal wealth to his people. Today, he is buried in a special building near the Umayyad Mosque. Many people in Kurdish, Arab, and Turkic cultures still honor him. He is remembered as one of the most famous Kurdish figures in history.

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🖼️ Images & Media (19)
File:Coin of Saladin, Nisibin mint, 578 H (Obverse and reverse).jpg
Coin of Saladin, Nisibin mint, 578 H...
File:Palmer_cup_left_attendants_(British_Museum).jpg
Palmer_cup_left_attendants_(British_Museum).jpg
File:Saladin in Egypt Conquest.png
Saladin in Egypt Conquest.png
File:Experimental crossbow mounted inside a shield, in the Tabṣira by Murḍi Ibn cĀlī Ibn Murḍi al-Ṭarsūsī written for Saladin, late Fāṭimid or early Ayyūbid Egypt, c.1170 CE (Ms. Hunt.264, f.117, Bodleian Library, Oxford, UK).jpg
Experimental crossbow mounted inside a...
File:Ayyubid expansion 1174-1193.png
Ayyubid expansion 1174-1193.png
File:Saladin the Victorious.jpg
Saladin the Victorious.jpg
File:Masyaf - Gesamtansicht.jpg
Masyaf - Gesamtansicht.jpg
File:Citadel of Salah El.Din.jpg
Citadel of Salah El.Din.jpg
File:JacobsFordBattlefield.jpg
JacobsFordBattlefield.jpg
File:Ayyubids. Egypt. al-Nasir I Salah al-Din Yusuf (Saladin). 1169-1193 CE. Citing Abbasid caliph an-Nasir. Dimashq (Damascus) mint. Dated AH 583 (1187-1188 CE).jpg
Ayyubids. Egypt. al-Nasir I Salah al-Din...
File:Dirham of Saladin, 1215-1216.jpg
Dirham of Saladin, 1215-1216.jpg
File:Saladin 1190 mint of Mayyafariqin.jpg
Saladin 1190 mint of Mayyafariqin.jpg

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