ABSTRACT
Saladin Abu ‘1-Muzaffer Yusuf ibn Ayyub ibn Shadi rallied the Muslim world in defense against Christian aggressors while earning a reputation for piety and honor throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. Saladin gained the loyalty of Egyptians by purging the country of potential enemies and embarking on a large public works program. In 1174, he assumed political and military command of Egypt and Syria, but rivals who disliked the power Saladin had gained opposed him in Baghdad. Saladin defended the Muslim world against Christian expansion and earned the respect of the European invaders, becoming the stuff of legend. Saladin impressed Europeans with his fairness and sense of honor. He usually released captured soldiers who had fought honorably, executing only those who had given up Islam to side with the Europeans, and Christian leaders who would not negotiate.
