Saladin was the first Sultan of Egypt and Syria. He led Muslim opposition to the European Crusaders in the Levant. Under his personal leadership, his forces defeated the Crusaders at the Battle of Hattin, leading the way to his re-capture of Palestine. His noble and chivalrous behavior was noted by Christian chroniclers, despite being the nemesis of the Crusaders, he won the respect of many of them, including Richard the Lionheart.
