Ayyubids

{uh-yoo'-bidz}

The Ayyubids were members of the Islamic dynasty founded (1171) by Saladin, which ruled Egypt, Muslim Syria-Palestine, Upper Mesopotamia, and Yemen. During the Ayyubid period, Egypt became the main base of Muslim military strength in the Middle East; subsequently, the Ayyubids were able to reduce the Crusader states substantially. The dynasty also promoted a strongly orthodox religious and educational policy, which aided the revival of Arabic learning.

At Saladin's death in 1193, the empire was divided among his family, but central control was kept by his brother al-Adil (d. 1218) and his brother's son al-Kamil (d. 1238). Under them, Saladin's activist policy gave place to one of detente with the Crusaders; it allowed, particularly, for increased trade with Europe.

After al-Kamil's death, the dynasty was rent by internal quarrels caused mainly by the Turkish slave army, the Mamelukes, who seized power and ended Ayyubid rule in Egypt in 1249.

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Bibliography:
Humphreys, R. S., From Saladin to the Mongols (1977).

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