Birth of Saladin

Saladin was born in 1138 in Tikrit Castle. A Muslim military leader of Kurdish origin born in Tikrit, Saladin rose in the service of the Zengid ruler Nur ad-Din and became vizier of Fatimid Egypt. In 1171 he ended Fatimid rule and founded the Ayyubid dynasty, later adding Syria and parts of Mesopotamia to his domains. In 1187 his army crushed the Crusaders at the Battle of Hattin and then recaptured Jerusalem, a victory that led to the Third Crusade. He fought Richard the Lionheart to a standstill and agreed a truce in 1192 that left the coast with the Crusaders but allowed pilgrims access to Jerusalem. Admired even by his opponents for generosity and restraint, he died in Damascus.

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