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The Life of Saladin: From the Works of 'Imad ad-Din and Baha' ad-Din
Saladin, the Kurdish founder of the Ayyubid Dynasty, ruled Egypt and Syria, made enemies of the fabled Assyrians and conquered Jerusalem in 1187, repelling the Crusaders (and prompting their resurgence in the Third Crusade). His chivalry and impeccably honourable conduct became enshrined in European as well as Muslim lore, influencing a long line of poets and historians.
Sir Hamilton Gibb’s seminal account of Saladin’s life calls upon the works of two men in particular – Baha’ ad-Din ibn Shaddad (d.1234), a military judge who served under Saladin and ‘Imad ad-Din al-Isfahani (d.1201), Saladin’s private secretary.
Carefully researched and thoroughly annotated, Gibb’s classic remains an essential source for historians of the ruler, the region and the period, as well as an excellent introduction for readers whose image of Saladin remains rooted in legend.
Sir Hamilton A.R. Gibb (1895–1971) was one of the most learned and passionate scholars of his era. He was Laudian Professor of Arabic at the University of Oxford (1937–55) and J.R. Jewett Professor of Arabic at Harvard University (1955–64). From 1957–66 he was Director of Harvard’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies. His other publications include Arabic Literature, The Legacy of Islam and Modern Trends in Islam.
Sir Hamilton Gibb’s seminal account of Saladin’s life calls upon the works of two men in particular – Baha’ ad-Din ibn Shaddad (d.1234), a military judge who served under Saladin and ‘Imad ad-Din al-Isfahani (d.1201), Saladin’s private secretary.
Carefully researched and thoroughly annotated, Gibb’s classic remains an essential source for historians of the ruler, the region and the period, as well as an excellent introduction for readers whose image of Saladin remains rooted in legend.
Sir Hamilton A.R. Gibb (1895–1971) was one of the most learned and passionate scholars of his era. He was Laudian Professor of Arabic at the University of Oxford (1937–55) and J.R. Jewett Professor of Arabic at Harvard University (1955–64). From 1957–66 he was Director of Harvard’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies. His other publications include Arabic Literature, The Legacy of Islam and Modern Trends in Islam.
94 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
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About the author
H.A.R. Gibb
77 books22 followersSir Hamilton Alexander Rosskeen Gibb, also commonly referred to as "H. A. R. Gibb", was a Scottish Orientalist .
Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Gibb went to Scotland (the home of his ancestors) for education at the age of five after the death of his father. He attended the Royal High School, Edinburgh. Studies at the University of Edinburgh were interrupted by World War I, during which he served in France and Italy in the Royal Field Artillery. For his service, he was awarded a 'war privilege' MA. After the war he studied Arabic at the School of Oriental Studies of London University and obtained an MA in 1922. His thesis, later published by the Royal Asiatic Society as a monograph, was written on the Arab conquests of Central Asia. He married Helen Jessie Stark (Ella) the same year, and together they had one son and one daughter.
Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Gibb went to Scotland (the home of his ancestors) for education at the age of five after the death of his father. He attended the Royal High School, Edinburgh. Studies at the University of Edinburgh were interrupted by World War I, during which he served in France and Italy in the Royal Field Artillery. For his service, he was awarded a 'war privilege' MA. After the war he studied Arabic at the School of Oriental Studies of London University and obtained an MA in 1922. His thesis, later published by the Royal Asiatic Society as a monograph, was written on the Arab conquests of Central Asia. He married Helen Jessie Stark (Ella) the same year, and together they had one son and one daughter.
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