Saladin

Saladin (1138–93), Muslim ruler and warrior who fought against the Crusaders. He united the Shiite and Sunnite Muslims in 1171 and thus became sultan of Egypt and Syria. In 1187 he led the capture of Jerusalem from the Christians. The Third Crusade that followed resulted in a lengthy siege of the city (1189–91). Saladin finally surrendered to England's King Richard I and entered into a truce ceding coastal lands to the Christians and giving pilgrims access to Jerusalem. Saladin was a noted patron of learning and the arts.

See also: Crusades.