Sultan of Egypt from 1175, in succession to the Ataberg of Mosul on whose behalf he had conquered Egypt (1164-74).
A Kurd born at Takrit, he conquered Syria (1174-87), and by his recovery of Jerusalem from the Christians in 1187, precipitated the third Crusade.
Renowned for knightly courtesy, Saladin made peace with Richard I of England in 1192, and allegedly they became lovers for a time.
His homosexuality was brought out in several episodes of the Arabian Nights.
We don't know what Saladin looked like. Most sources say that he was small, with a short, neat beard and somewhat frail.
He was a excellent listener. His normally expressionless face would light-up when spoken to. This made the speaker feel comfortable and could speak very easily.