Which Crusades did Saladin fight in?
Saladin met Richard Lionheart in battle during the Third Crusade (1189-1192) in his early 50s. After a series of engagements and an agreement for peace with Saladin, Richard was able to reestablish the Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem at this time. Saladin also observed the Second Crusade (1147-1150) as a child when he was in the Zengid capital of Damascus. The Second Crusade was a response to the Zengid conquest of the Crusader Kingdom of Edessa in modern-day Turkey.
What was Saladin’s biggest achievement?
Saladin had a life full of accomplishments like recapturing Jerusalem from the Crusaders and negotiating a peace with the deadly Assassins. But his greatest accomplishment was extending his authority over a religiously and politically diverse region including Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia, and western Arabia. He held these lands till his death and established the Ayyubid Dynasty.
Who is Saladin and why is he famous?
Saladin is famous in different ways to different communities. To Muslims, he is famous for reclaiming Jerusalem, one of the holiest cities, for Islam and for repelling the Crusader armies that had established a kingdom there. To Christians, he is famous for his tremendous chivalry in times of war. He became known throughout Europe as the model for a virtuous non-Christian.
