Saladin (also called Salah al-Din) was the most modest and compassionate Middle Eastern leader ever to live! He is considered the greatest leader ever to take on the Crusaders. He came into power in 1174 A.D. At the time, the Muslims had been kicked out of Jerusalem by the Second Crusade. They went into hiding and gathered their forces to attack the Crusaders occupying Jerusalem. When they did attack, long hard battles took place. Many people died and more from the Muslim side than the Christian side because the Crusaders had a city to back them up. Finally, however the Muslims won and took back Jerusalem.