1187Reputable sourceWell documented
Saladin and the Fall of Jerusalem
On the timeline · around 1187 ·
What happened
The great Muslim leader Saladin united Egypt and Syria and turned against the Crusader States. In 1187, at the Battle of Hattin, he annihilated the main crusader army, and within months he recaptured Jerusalem — this time sparing its inhabitants, in contrast to 1099.
Why it matters
Saladin's victory ended nearly a century of crusader rule in Jerusalem and made him a legend, admired even by his enemies for his chivalry. His triumph directly provoked the Third Crusade.
Sources
- World History Encyclopedia. Saladin · Reputable source