The Influence of Salah Al-Din Yusuf Essay - 603 Words

Salah al-Din Yusuf was born in Tikrite, Iraq in 1138. He is known today as Saladin. His father, Ayyub, was promoted to the Head of Damascus Militia. Saladin was raised in the center stage of where the main political decisions regarding the Crusades were made. With his religion and education his reputation grew for his politics and leadership over the militia and his people. With these Saladin would hold many positions in government and military, and he would eventually conquer Jerusalem and defeat the third crusade. In the Middle Ages life expectancies were low so men were given responsibilities early in their adulthood. Saladin got married at the age of fourteen and was sent to his uncle Shirkuh, a senior command officer of the†¦show more content†¦The Crusaders of Kerak made an attack on the Muslim pilgrims in 1187. In response Saladin moved his forces to northern Palestine and won a battle against a much larger Crusader army in the battle of Hettin, defeating the King of Jerusalem. Three months later he took Jerusalem in a siege. After signing a treaty giving over the city to Saladin except for a quarter of the city designated for the Franks. No Christian blood was spilled after that point. Foot soldiers were sold into slavery and Saladin offered a fee to leave the city in peace, but if people couldn’t pay he helped them get out of the city indirectly. Western Europe were stunned by the success of Saladin, and Pope Gregory VIII immediately called for the Third Crusade. This was led by Richard I, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa of Germany, and King Phillip II of France. Fredrick was drowned on his march and little of his army continued on without him. Richard and Phillip continued up the coast taking ports as to keep their soldiers with supplies. No matter how many supplies were given they still lacked from the heat. Phillip became exhausted after the siege of Acre and left for France leaving only Richard. Richard started to march inland but he c ame to realize that Saladin had stripped the countryside of food and fodder. He pleaded to Saladin for water and fruit, and being a strict Muslim he sent it but also got a glimpse inside of their encampment. Seeing the little army that RichardShow MoreRelatedThe Great Leaders Of Time2360 Words   |  10 PagesHistory has been marked by the great leaders of time. In the middle to late 12th century, one man from northern Iraq by the name of Saladin (Salah al-Din), born Yusuf ibn Ayyub, shown in this painting, changed the course of history and still influences it today. Saladin lived in Muslim controlled land during the age of the Crusades. He worked his way up the military before taking power in during the Third Crusade. The Crusades saw and bred many great leaders during its time both on the Christian