On 20 September 1187, Saladin, the revered Muslim leader and Sultan of Egypt and Syria, initiated the Siege of Jerusalem, a momentous chapter in the ongoing Crusades.
After his decisive victory at the Battle of Hattin earlier that year, where Christian forces were soundly defeated, Saladin turned his attention to the holy city.
With meticulous planning and a formidable army, he encircled Jerusalem, seeking to reclaim it for Islam after nearly a century of Christian dominion. The siege lasted for twelve days, and despite initial Christian resistance, the city's defenders ultimately capitulated, leading to a peaceful surrender negotiated by Balian of Ibelin.
Saladin’s entry into Jerusalem marked the end of Christian rule and solidified his reputation as both a fearsome warrior and a magnanimous victor, as he allowed the city's inhabitants to leave safely in exchange for a ransom, in stark contrast to the bloodshed during the earlier Christian conquest of the city.
