Saladin

Ezio, my friend! How may I be of service? This article is in desperate need of a revamp. Please improve it in any way necessary in order for it to achieve a higher standard of quality in accordance with our Manual of Style.

File:Salah ad-din.jpg

Concept art of Saladin.

Ṣalāḥ ad-Dīn Yūsuf ibn Ayyūb (Arabic: يوسف صلاح الدين بن أيوب), better known as simply Ṣalāḥ ad-Dīn or Saladin (c. 1138 - 4 March 1193), is the commander of the Muslim armies and lands arrayed against the invading Richard the Lionheart, and never makes a direct appearance in the game. He is, however, referenced frequently by other characters, and his forces are engaged with Richard's during the Battle of Arsuf. To start the Third Crusade during which Assassin's Creed takes place, Saladin and his men defeated Guy of Lusignan, King of Jerusalem (who would later ally with King Richard in the Siege of Acre), and Raynald of Chatillon at the Battle of Hattin. Despite being defeated three times in Acre, Arsuf and Jaffa by Richard, Saladin manages to secure Jerusalem by finalizing a treaty by which Jerusalem would remain under Muslim control, but which also allowed unarmed Christian pilgrims to visit the city. This treaty is called Treaty of Ramla. Richard departed the Holy Land on October 9, 1192.

Saladin died on March 4, 1193. He is buried in Umayyad Mosque, Damascus, Syria. He is considered a hero in the Muslim world and is also respected by his Christian counterparts.

Many people preach about Saladin in Jerusalem and Damascus, and against him in Acre.

Historical Campaign against the Assassins

Saladin had by now agreed truces with his Zengid rivals and the Kingdom of Jerusalem (latter occurred in the summer of 1175), but faced a threat from the Hashshashin sect or "Assassins" led by Rashid ad-Din Sinan. Based in the al-Nusayri Mountains, they commanded nine fortresses built atop high elevations. As soon as he dismissed the bulk of his troops to Egypt, Saladin led his army into the al-Nusayri range in August 1176. He retreated the same month, after laying waste to the countryside, but failing to conquer any of the forts. Most Muslim historians claim that Saladin's uncle mediated a peace agreement between him and Sinan.However, the latter's panegyrist claims Saladin departed due to fears for his own life at the hands of the Assassins. He had his guards supplied with link lights and had chalk and cinders strewed around his tent outside Masyaf—which he was besieging—to detect any footsteps by the Assassins.

According to this version, one night, Saladin's guards noticed a spark glowing down the hill of Masyaf and then vanishing among the Ayyubid tents. Presently, Saladin awoke from his sleep to find a figure leaving the tent. He then saw that the lamps were displaced and beside his bed laid hot scones of the shape peculiar to the Assassins with a note at the top pinned by a poisoned dagger. The note threatened that he would be killed if he didn't withdraw from his assault. Saladin gave a loud cry, exclaiming that Sinan himself was the figure that left the tent. As such, Saladin told his guards to settle an agreement with Sinan. Realizing he was unable to subdue the Assassins, he sought to align himself with them, consequently depriving the Crusaders of aligning themselves against him.

Trivia

File:Saladin.jpg

Historical artistic rendition of Saladin.

• "Ṣalāḥ ad-Dīn" means "Righteousness of our Religion/Faith"
• Though he never appears in the game, there is concept art of his character (in the limited edition artbook and the official strategy guide) hinting that he was originally going to appear in the story, possibly at Arsuf.
• In-game, the Crusaders (such as Robert de Sable and the Acre heralds) use the European pronunciation of "Salla-din", while the Saracens (such as the Damascus and Jerusalem heralds) use the Arabic pronunciation of "Sa-lah-ah-din".
• Historically, Saladin was an enemy of the Assassins. Rashid ad-Din Sinan, the Grand Master, sent many assassination attempts to kill him. The most fatal attack only dealt Saladin wounds.