Group+4.2+Ayyubids

The Ayyubid Dynasty

//** Saladin- Ruler of the Ayyubid Dynasty **//

Salah al-Din ibn Ayyub, Saladin, is one of the most famous Muslim generals of all time and was later appointed head of the Ayyubid Dynasty. He was born in 1138 to a prominent Kurdish family in the city of Takrit, Mesopotamia. His family was very active in Syria. Ever since he was a child, he was always interested in religious studies, and military strategies. By the age of 31, Saladin joined the staff of his uncle and became a military commander of the Syrian troops as well as the vizier of Egypt.



He later was in charge of an army that acted as a Muslim crusade against the Christian crusades. He promoted Jihad- Islamic holy war, and had groups of religious scholars who helped him influence people to join his army against the Christian army. It was part of Saladin’s policy to promote the expansion and spread of Muslim religious institutions. He established colleges and mosques for the scholars and preachers to write jihad related books. He wanted people to get lured by the supposed moral duty of Muslims to fight against non-Muslims. He wanted people to have the same loyalty to Islam as people did during Prophet Muhammad’s time, and little while later when they conquered over half of the world through Islamic preaching and establishing Islamic rule over vast territories.



Saladin was a Muslim military hero because in the late 12th century, he was able to unite various parts of Middle East and Mesopotamia. He overtook the Crusaders of the Near East by the use of strict diplomacy and forceful tactics. The great ruler died on March 4th, 1193 in Damascus, Syria after the treaty was signed. Many people believed that he was sent by God to create the temporary peace between both Muslims and Christians. His people loved, and feared him. Some considered him as a savior, while others considered him as a vicious dictator. Those who despised him were mostly Christians because they were subject to pay Islamic tax even though they weren't muslim. Saladin will always be remembered as a ruthless leader, tactician and a liberator.



Some of his accomplishments include:

· In 1171, Saladin established a Sunni regime, that once existed in Egypt, by eliminating the last Shiite Fatimid caliph of Egypt · Saladin rules over Damascus in 1174 · Saladin takes over Aleppo and brings Syria and Damascus under Ayyubid Dynasty in 1183 · After 88 years in Frankish rule, Saladin conquers Jerusalem in 1187

[|Saladin: Animated Series Trailer]

Sources: > > >
 * http://history-world.org/saladin.htm
 * http://www.pbs.org/empires/islam/profilessaladin.html
 * http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/bios/b1saladin.htm
 * http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/518809/Saladin

Done by Kanza Khan

** Rise and Expansion of the Ayyubid Dynasty ** The Ayyubid dynasty had its beginnings with Najm ad-Din bin Shadi, who was from the tribe of Rawadiya, which was also a Kurdish tribe. The Kurds in this tribe belonged to the political-military elite. Later on, Shadi left for Iraq with his sons Najm al-Din Ayyub and Asad al-Din Shirkuh. They were welcomed upon their arrival in the area, and Shadi was named the governor of Tikrit. After Shadi died, the governor’s post was taken up by Ayyub while his brother helped him with the post. They both managed the city well and gained popularity. At the same time that their leadership was becoming more popular, the ruler of Mosul was defeated by the Abbasids. Imad ad-Din Zangi, the recently fallen ruler of Mosul took shelter in Tikrit with Ayyub. Ayyub provided Zangi and his people with protection and boats to go back to Mosul. Because of his friendly acts towards Zangi, Ayyub was put on watch by the Abbasids. Soon after this both Ayyub and his brother, had warrants out for their arrest, but before they were caught by the Abbasids they left for Mosul. When they arrived in Mosul they were quickly recruited into Zangi’s army. It was under Zangi’s watch and support that the Ayyubid family rose to prominence. Shirkuh and Saladin were sent to Egypt in 1164 to prevent the Crusaders from invading the increasingly unstable area. Soon after entering the country, the men drove out the vizier of Egypt and put in his predecessor, Shawar. Upon taking office, Shawar demanded that all forces be removed from Egypt but Shirkuh refused. For the next several years, Shirkuh and Saladin would defeat the Crusaders in the region and stave off Shawar’s troops as well. Shawar died in 1169, Shirkuh then takes his place. Soon after taking office, Shirkuh died as well. Saladin was appointed by the Fatimid caliph, who was in charge at the time. Soon after taking power, Saladin consolidated power after putting down a revolt that was started by Fatimid troops; he also gained power by using the religion at the time to propel his status by utilizing the power of the caliphs.

Saladin then went to Alexandria in 1171 because he was concerned with money issues. At this time, a family council of Ayyubid emirs sent a coastal expedition to Barqa, which would be carried out by Saladin’s nephew. In 1172, Fatimid soldiers attacked Aswan from Nubia. The governor from Aswan requested military backup and Saladin responded by sending his men. Soon after entering the area, Saladin’s men took control of the surrounding region. Soon after, the Ayyubid dynasty spread to Tripoli in 1174. Saladin was determined to spread out his empire even more and in 1174 he set out to conquer Syria from the Zenigids. The leader of Syria considered his homeland to be a family estate and thus defended it fiercely. Although the Syrians had more men, Saladin prevailed and captured all of Syri, except Aleppo, which made a deal to remain independent, but would later be captured by the Ayyubids. In 1177 Saladin proceeded to attack Palestine, his troops faced strong opposition from the Templars and were defeated. Saladin and his Ayyubid troops regrouped and later defeated the Templats at the Battle of Marj Ayyun. Saladin later captured Palestine by defeating the Crusaders at Tiberias. After the Ayyubids defeated the Crusaders there, the Ayyubid dynasty controlled the majority of the Crusaders land.

Over the reign of the Ayyubids, Saladin sent troops across North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Yemen and its surrounding areas were captured for fear that if Egypt fell the people of the Ayyubid dynasty would have a place for refuge. As the dynasty became less concerned about spreading and more about stability of the areas under control, Saladin had achieved his goal of unifying the Muslims in the area and he had also controlled the hostile Crusader states that had proved to be hostile .


 * Sources:**

Frenkel, Yehoshu A. “Political and Social Aspects of Islamic Religious Endowments: Saladin in Cairo (1169-73) and Jerualem (1187-93).” __Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London__ Volume 62 Number 1 (1999): 1-20 Walker, Bethany J. “Militarization to Nomadization: The Middle and Late Islamic Periods.” __Near East Archaeology__ Volume 62 Number 4 (December 1999): 202-232 [] []

Done By Mathieu Gervais


 * Later Crusades **

Saladin's great empire would soon turn into many smaller states after his death (2). The nation was divided between his five sons into Aleppo, Egypt, Yemen, Karak and a combination of Syria and Palestine (2). His sons often quarreled and were unable to keep the empire united (2). These feuds paved the way for their uncle al-Adil to conquer most of Syria and Egypt (2). He became a very competent ruler of the empire and held a treaty with the Crusaders until his death (2). Following al-Adil's death in 1218 the empire again was to be divided amongst his sons. Feuding amongst the divisions once again made an opening for attack, this time by the Crusades (2). Despite this opportunity however, the Ayyubids were successful in defending many attacks from the Cruaders. This was because of al-Kamil, al-Adil's son who had become the successor of Egypt. Initially, al-Kamil was so terrified of the loss at Damietta that he pondered fleeing to Yemen (2). He offered the Crusaders Jerusalem for peace, however, the Crusaders believed they could conquer all of Egypt and refused (2). The Muslims would find themselves luck in a rising of the Nile which allowed them the opportunity to surround the Crusaders and force them to surrender back Damietta in exchange for their lives (2). This was the end of the 5th Crusades which left the Crusaders unsuccessful in gaining of land (2).



The 7th Crusades marked the final attempt to conquer Egypt (2). French King Louis IX led troops during the time of al-Salih.As soon as they landed in Damietta the Muslims fled. After al-Kamil's death, 3 more Ayyubid Successors would come before power was eventually given to the Mamluk's (2).


 * Education **

The Ayyubid rulers stressed great importance on education and learning. Out of these rulers Salahuddin created the most amount of schools (2). The schools were known to be similar to madrasahs in which people were educated in academics

as well as Sunni Islam (2). Schools of all different madhabs were established despite the fact that Ayyubids were known Shafiates (2). They were the first to establish schools with Hanibal and Maliki thoughts in Syria. Cairo, under Salahuddin would also begin to attract Sunni scholars from other lands making it a multinational city for both education and Islamic thought which would all the way to the Mamluk’s (3). The extent of the importance of educational isntituations can further be seen by the fact that they were funded by even the commanders and nobles (2). Education was seen as honorable and necessary to the point that no person was able to hold a position in Government without education in the madrasah.

** Sources: ** 1.Walker, Bethany (1999) Militarization to Nomadization: The Middle and Late Islamic Periods, T[|he American Schools of Oriental Research], Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3210733

2. Ali, Abdul (1996), [|//Islamic Dynasties of the Arab East: State and Civilization During the Later Medieval Times//], M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd,[|ISBN] [|8175330082, 9788175330085]

3. Daly, M. W.; Petry, Carl F. (1996), [|//The Cambridge History of Egypt: Islamic Egypt, 640-1517//], M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd, [|ISBN] [|8175330082, 9788175330085]

Image Source: []

http://faculty.cua.edu/pennington/CrusadeImages/Crusade1202.jpg

** Done by Sadiq Jafri **

** Art and Architecture of the Ayyubid Dynasty ** The art and architecture of the Ayyubid Dynasty is characterized by its complexity and exacting craftsmanship. These characteristics were developed in their art and architecture because the Ayyubid Dynasty was among the most advanced civilizations of its time. Ayyubid architecture, at least in Cairo where Ayyubid power was centered, were among the first in the area to use plaster on residential buildings. Plaster made out of limestone had been around since antiquity but up onto that point houses in the Nile River area simply covered their homes in a layer of silt from the river. ( Ibrahim 50) The architecture of the Ayyubids in Syria and the Levant however are best characterized by the citadel tower of Aleppo in modern-day Syria. Salah Ad-Din, (Saladin in the West) consolidated power under his Ayyubid Dynasty in the thirteenth century, and his architecture was in many ways an allegory for him and his regime. The Citadel at Aleppo served the dual purposes of fortress on the outside with its fifty meter high walls and ramparts, and part palace on the inside. Its architectural style harkened back to the earlier dynasties giving its onlookers a sense of nostalgic hope in the face of uncertain times. Indeed the Citadel at Aleppo was a sight to behold in Ayyubid times, so much so that one medieval poet wrote, “Its watchtower would be counted among the celestial beings were they only to move in their courses” ( Tabbaa 181) The art and architecture of the Ayyubid Dynasty reflected the time and place it existed in, utilitarian to reflect the many military conflicts, but also extravagant to represent the period as a time for economic and technological prosperity in the Middle East.

Done by Marcus Kamal

Bibliography Ibrahim, Laila. "Residential Architecture in Mamluk Cairo." //Muqarnas// 2 (1984): 47-59. //JSTOR//. Web. 11 Mar. 2011. Tabbaa, Yasser. "Circles of Power: Palace Citadel and City in Ayyubid Aleppo." //Ars Orientalis// 23 (1993): 181-200. //JSTOR//. Web. 14 Mar. 2011. Source for Images [] [|http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTl8n42u3OB3L_JYBA0g_81vqbsHvm5jRBFMsTDeSlTxkR0gyU]