Even though Ayyubids, which was founded by a great hero and exemplary statesmen such as Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn, or Saladin, al-Ayyūbī, was a short-lived state, it played an important role in both Islamic and world history. Thanks to Ayyubids, a strong political unity emerged in the Middle East, and consequently many places including Jerusalem under the invasion of the Crusades were taken back. This led the following Crusades to fail. In like manner, in 1260 during the time of Mamluks which was in a way a continuation of this political unity, a great blow was inflicted upon the Mongols and the remnants of Crusades in the East were cleaned out. Turks dominated the great part of the Arab lands in this period. The period of Ayyubids was a very fruitful time in Islamic history from scientific and cultural aspects.

Ayyubid sultans and princes who themselves engaged in poetry and science founded several educational institutions and supported them by establishing religious endowments. The land of Ayyubids became a center of attraction for scholars and students of knowledge. Especially the sciences of history and medicine showed great developments and the cities of Damascus and Cairo left Baghdad behind in achievements.

3^rd edition of the book has been extended with a lexicon of titles, regnal titles, terminology, chronological charts of the rulers and significant events of the period, the genealogy of the Ayyubid dynasty, a few pictures and a map.

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