Saladin lived between 1138 and 1193. He was a Kurdish Muslim general and came from what is now Northern Iraq. His name symbolizes his moral and honorable character and was given to him by the people he led. In fact, he was so highly regarded that there are alot of stories that were passed down about him through the ages. He was a great military leader and was respected by both Muslims and Christians.

Saladin learned his military prowess from his uncle who was also a great military leader. His name was Shirkuh and he commanded under the ruler Nur ad-Din. At first Saladin fought in battles between different Muslim factions, the same type of problems that seem to exist today. Saladin defended Egypt against Jerusalem. His reputation and power grew. Eventually, he became the ruler of Egypt when Nur ad-Din died in 1174.

Saladin improved Egypt's economy and declared Egypt independent from other Muslim states when he became sultan. Because of a rivalry with Syria, Saladin was hesitant to invade the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem. Saladin sought Muslim dominance in the Arab world, but he realized the benefit of Jerusalem separating the two rivals (Egypt and Syria). Whenever Saladin did engage in Crusader battles he usually won. However, he did lose an important battle (Montgisard) in 1177.

After Saladin lost face he spent 1178 rebuilding his army. From 1179 to 1185 he fought and won many battles with the crusaders. In 1187 Saladin overtook the holy land of Jerusalem. "Saladin surrounded the crusader army and virtually annihilated it, and he afterward conquered large portions of the Crusader states without serious opposition." Gies, page 199. The fall of Jerusalem was the alarm bell for England to now enter into the Crusades. When Richard I of England entered and became victorious in the Crusades he came to know Saladin. Richard respected Saladin both militarily and personally. Even in defeat Saladin treated Richard kindly. As a result the two agreed to a truce in Jerusalem in 1192. "Chivalrous as well as able, Saladin negotiated a truce with the Crusader States, but the rise of his new principality was nevertheless an ominous threat to Latin Syria." Gies, page 199.

Saladin was important to the Crusades for these reasons. First, his victories alerted the rest of the world to the threat of Muslim dominance. Second, the world realized Saladin was a kind and chivalrous leader and that Muslims were not the barbarians they had first thought they were. Third, when Saladin and Richard agreed to a treaty over Jerusalem in 1192 Saladin allowed the practice of Christianity and pilgrimages in the mostly Muslim area. Fourth, the Christian world realized that with understanding and negotiation Christians and Muslims could coexist peacefully.

Bibliography

Gies, Frances and Joseph. Daily Life in Medieval Times. Black Dog and Leventhal Publishers, Inc. New York, 1990.

Hollister, C. Warren. Medieval Europe. The Mcgraw-Hill Companies, Inc. U.S.A.,1998