Gone Medieval Saladin: Crusher of the Crusades
Feb 13, 2026
Jonathan Phillips, Professor of Crusading History and author on Saladin, guides listeners through Saladin’s Kurdish roots and rise from Egyptian vizier to Ayyubid ruler. He unpacks the campaign of 1187, the decisive Battle of Hattin, the surrender of Jerusalem, and the complex aftermath leading to the Third Crusade. The conversation also probes Saladin’s image, propaganda, and lasting legacy.
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Generosity As Political Strategy
- Saladin built a dynastic power base by placing family in key roles and using generosity to secure loyalty.
- His public largesse acted as political leverage rather than mere charity.
Luck And Timing Enabled Expansion
- Nur al-Din's death in 1174 created the breathing space Saladin needed to expand into Syria.
- Timing and luck were decisive elements in Saladin's consolidation of power.
Sources Often Reflect Pro-Saladin Propaganda
- Many surviving sources about Saladin are written by his supporters and are highly flattering.
- Independent accounts from pilgrims and some Frankish chroniclers corroborate a broadly positive image.
