Saladin

Saladin (1137-1193), full name Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi, was an Egyptian and Syrian sultan (king), the hero of the third crusade on the Saracen side. He attempted to push Christians out of Jerusalem and captured the holy city in 1187 and negotiated truce with Crusaders in 1192.

He was a man of noble and chivalrous character, served first as a soldier under Nureddin, rose to be vizier of Egypt, and ultimately sovereign in 1174. He distinguished himself by the capture of Damascus, Aleppo, &c., and entering the Holy Land defeated the Christians at Tiberias, thereafter taking Jerusalem and laying siege to Tyre. He found in Richard Coeur de Lion a foeman worthy of his steel, concluded a truce in 1192, and died the year after.

Wisdom & Quotes

• My saddle is my Council chamber.
• I would rather be gifted with wealth, so long as it is accompanied by wisdom and moderation, than with boldness and immoderation.
• I do not want them ( his children ) to get used to shedding blood so young; at their age they do not know what it means to be a Muslim or an infidel, and they will grow accustomed to trifling with the lives of others.

Hsin Chi-chi