Saladin

1138 — 1193

Saladin was born into a Kurdish family in Tikrit, Mesopotamia. He began his military career as a soldier in his uncle's Egyptian campaign. In 1169 he became vizier of Egypt's Fatimid caliphate, which was abolished two years later. Saladin then embarked on a journey to unite under him all the Muslim territories in Syria, northern Mesopotamia, Palestine, and Egypt.

Saladin was a skilled military leader and a charismatic figure. In 1187, Saladin led the Muslim forces to victory over the Crusaders at the Battle of Hattin. This victory allowed Saladin to recapture Jerusalem, which had been in Crusader hands for nearly 90 years. Saladin's victory was a major turning point in the Crusades, and it helped to galvanize Muslim resistance to the Christian forces.

Saladin's story is one of conquest, faith, and diplomacy. He was a complex and fascinating figure who left a lasting legacy on the Middle East.