Egypt / Syria: 19th-century engraving of the Muslim leader Saladin (c.1138-1193)

Salāḥ ad-Dīn Yusuf ibn Ayyub (c.1138 – March 4, 1193), better known in the Western world as Saladin, was a Kurdish Muslim, who became the first Ayyubid Sultan of Egypt and Syria. He led Islamic opposition to the Franks and other European Crusaders in the Levant.

At the height of his power, he ruled over Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia, Hejaz, and Yemen. He led the Muslims against the Crusaders and eventually recaptured Palestine from the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem after his victory in the Battle of Hattin on 4 July 1187.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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