Salah al-Din Yusif ibn Ayyub. Many, even his enemies, knew him as a wise and brave man. Saladin was a man of faith, respect and courage. both his strategic tactics in war and his peaceful diplomacy to the west caused him to be an iconic figure in the Muslim era.
Saladin was born into a Kurdish family in Tikrit, Iraq in 1138. He succeeded his uncle as Vizier of Egypt in 1169 and them assumes title of Sultan of Egypt in 1174. Saladin was well known to have fought against the crusade in Palestine, notably against his well-known foe Richard the Lion Heart. Saladin united the Muslims in 1187 and took back the city of Jerusalem after the defeat of its king in the battle of Hattin. However, Saladin continues to astonish the west even after his victory when he ordered neither man, woman, child, Christian or Jew be harmed inside the walls of Jerusalem.
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| Computerized image of Saladin ibn Ayyub |
Saladin’s tactics in battle continues to astonish many historians day by day. One of the most famous strategies was The Battle of Hattin in 1187. Saladin had approximately 17,000 troops against Guy of Lusignan with 20,000 troops. Guy heard that Saladin laid camp near Jerusalem by Lake Tiberias, in retaliation, Guy sent all his army of 20,000 from the gates of Jerusalem to head out in combat with Saladin. However, a very unwise move this was, as it left Jerusalem unguarded and Guy, unknowingly was marching towards his own death.
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| Horns of Hattin |
Guy’s greatest mistake was to fight Saladin in his own backyard; this made Guy easily fall into a trap. Whilst being lured by Saladin, Guy’s army marched towards Lake Tiberias, desperate for water. however, unaware of their surroundings, Saladin sent small Skirmishers against Guy’s army. The Skirmishers however did not attack directly, all they did was light bush fires around the Crusade to lower the army’s moral, increase their thirst and lead them right towards Saladin’s army. By the time Guy’s army reached the Horns of Hattin, the solders were thirsty and exhausted, and knew you had already fallen into Saladin’s trap. Right away, Saladin’s forces attacked the Crusade leaving them crumbled with heavy casualties and very few survivors who escaped. After their defeat, Saladin was easily able to recapture the lost forts in Palestine, including Jerusalem itself, in addition to, Acre. However, the Fortress of Krak des chevaliers remained in Crusaders hands.
Saladins brave and cunning strategic tactics and politics caused the end of the 2nd crusade. After Saladin recaptured Jerusalem the west was outraged, thus the 3rd crusade took place. Richard I the Lionheart, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa of Germany and King Philip II of France united against the Muslim Sultan, Saladin al Ayyub. However, Saladin’s wise and brave leadership had caused a treaty during the 3rd crusade with King Richard the Lion heart, to keep Jerusalem under Muslim control and open for every Jew and Christian.
By: Nasser bin Khalifa AlFalasi
More info about Saladin AlAyyub:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saladin
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/Saladin.htm
http://muslimminds.wordpress.com/2006/08/11/salah-el-deen-el-ayoubi/
More info about the battle of Hattin and the 2nd Crusade:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hattin
http://hksw.org/despatches_106_1_a.htm
http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/the-second-crusade.htm
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