Muslim Opposition: (Saladin, 1169 - 92) Consolidation of Saladin's power in Egypt and Syria, 1169-84

Question 1

When was Saladin appointed vizier of Egypt?

Answer 1

1169

Question 2

When did Nur ad-Din die?

Answer 2

1174

Question 3

What was the issue in Saladin legitimizing his authority as vizier of Egypt?

Answer 3

his authority came from the Abbasid caliph al-Mustadi, based in Baghdad, not the Fatamid caliph in Cairo, al-Adil

Question 4

How did Saladin legitimise his authority as vizier of Egypt?

Answer 4

when al-Adil became ill in August 1171 and it became apparent he’d soon die, he decided to have the Sunni Abbasid caliph proclaimed as the caliph of Egypt in September 1171 - this marked the end of the Fatamid dynasty

Question 5

How did Saladin get the support of the Egyptians?

Answer 5

cancelled the unpopular trading tax called the mukus in Fustat and Cairo

Question 6

What image did Saladin try to construct as vizier of Egypt?

Answer 6

an image of a leader who’d look after the Egyptians rather than simply use the country for his own ends

Question 7

Who did Nur ad-Din give Aleppo to? (Syria)

Answer 7

Al-Salih

Question 8

In Jazira, who was Mosul inherited by?

Answer 8

Nur ad-Din’s nephew, Said ad-Din

Question 9

What did Saladin’s aim to be the most powerful ruler in the Islamic Near East involve and how long did it take him? (3)

Answer 9

over 10 years

• the reconstruction of Nur ad-Din’s territories under one leader through force and diplomacy
• the legitimization of Saladin’s authority outside Egypt through negotiation with the Abbasid caliph
• the maintenance of loyalty to his predecessor’s claims through a slow acquisition of power, rather than a full-blown offensive campaign into the territories of Damascus, Aleppo and Mosul

Question 10

What was Stage 1 of Saladin’s conquest and how difficult was it?

Answer 10

Damascus

Easy

Question 11

When did Saladin march peacefully into Damascus and what occupied the other leaders?

Answer 11

28 October 1174
al-Salih was in Aleppo
Said ad-Din was in Mosul

Question 12

How did Saladin strengthen his claim on Damascus?

Answer 12

through his marriage to Nur ad-Din’s widow in late 1176 in Damascus

Question 13

Why was the acquisition of Aleppo more difficult for Saladin?

Answer 13

he had to take it by force from a legitimate heir

Question 14

How long did it take Saladin to acquire Aleppo and why?

Answer 14

Saladin to acquire Aleppo and why?
Nearly 9 years
- It had a strong leader
- an alliance between Aleppo and Mosul against him
- a struggle to get the Abbasid caliph of Baghadad to support him

Question 15

When did Aleppo eventually submit?

Answer 15

11 June 1183

Question 16

What would Mosul give Saladin control of?

Answer 16

the Jazira region of northern Iraq

Question 17

What happened between Izz al-Din and Saladin in February 1186?

Answer 17

they made permanent peace:

• Izz al-Din accepted the overlordship of Saladin
• peace treaty in March

Question 18

How did Saladin legitimize his control of his newly acquired territories?

Answer 18

encouraged the Abbasid caliph of Baghdad , al-Mustadi to formally invest him as the city’s rulers

Question 19

Up until when was Saladin largely preoccupied with his attempt to bring Muslim Syria and the Jazira under his contrl?

Answer 19

1184

Question 20

Saladin took a series of tentative steps between 1170 and 1184 to minimize the threat from the Franks. When did he launch a series of offensives into the kingdom of Jerusalem? (4)

Answer 20

1170
1179
1182
1183

Question 21

Between 1170 and 1184 what Frankish territory did Saladin acquire?

Answer 21

some small towns including:
Gaza
Aila Aqaba
Buria

Question 22

What was Saladin’s most notable setback against eh Franks?

Answer 22

25 November 1177 at Mont Gisard - he’s planned a raid on Ascalon but was surprised and defeated by the Franks, losing 1,000 men and 750 troops seriously wounded

Question 23

What’s an example of Saladin’s failure against the Franks in 1183?

Answer 23

while able to plunder Galilee, Saladin failed to bring the Franks out to a decisive battle and eventually withdrew in October 1183

Question 24

When did Saladin makes truces with the Franks?(2)

Answer 24

1180

1185

Question 25

What did the 1180 truce with the Frank’s give Saladin time to do?

Answer 25

to intervene in an argument between the Seljuks and the Artuqids

Question 26

What did the 1185 truce with the Franks give Saladin time to do?

Answer 26

space to attack Mosul and force Izz al-Din to support him