Battle of Hattin

Quick Facts: Who was Battle of Hattin?

Subject:

Battle of Hattin

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The decisive 1187 battle where Saladin defeated the combined forces of the Crusader states.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Battle of Hattin took place on 4 July 1187, between the Crusader states of the Levant and the forces of the Ayyubid Sultanate of Egypt, led by Sultan Saladin. It is also known as the Battle of the Horns of Hattin, due to the shape of the nearby extinct volcano of that name. The Muslim armies under Saladin captured or killed the vast majority of the Crusader forces, removing their capability to wage war. As a direct result of the battle, Muslims once again became the pre-eminent military power in the Holy Land, re-capturing Jerusalem and most of the other Crusader-held cities and castles. These Christian defeats prompted the Third Crusade, which began two years after the Battle of Hattin.

Career & Major Achievements

The battle took place near Tiberias in present-day Israel. The battlefield, near the village of Hittin, had as its chief geographic feature a double hill (the "Horns of Hattin") beside a pass through the northern mountains between Tiberias and the road from Acre to the east. The Roman road, known to the Arabs as Darb al-Hawarnah, served as the main east–west passage between the Jordan fords, the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean coast. Guy of Lusignan became king of Jerusalem in 1186, in right of his wife, Sibylla, after the death of her son Baldwin V. The Kingdom of Jerusalem was divided between the "court faction" of Guy, consisting of Sibylla and relative newcomers to the kingdom such as Raynald of Châtillon, Gerard of Ridefort and the Knights Templar; versus the "nobles' faction", led by Raymond III of Tripoli, who had been a regent for the child-king Baldwin V and had opposed Guy's succession. Raymond III of Tripoli had supported the claim of Sibylla's half-sister Isabella and Isabella's husband, Humphrey IV of Toron, and led the rival faction to the court party.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Open warfare was prevented only by Humphrey of Toron swearing allegiance to Guy, which ended the succession dispute. The Muslim chronicler Ali ibn al-Athir claimed that Raymond was in a "state of open rebellion" against Guy. In the background of those divisions, Saladin had become vizier of Egypt in 1169 and had taken Damascus in 1174 and Aleppo in 1183. He controlled the entire southern and eastern flanks of the crusader states and united his subjects under Sunni Islam, convincing them that he would wage holy war to push the Christian Franks from Jerusalem. Saladin often made strategic truces with the Franks when he needed to deal with political problems in the Muslim world, and one such truce was made in 1185.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1169: 1169 Milestone — In the background of those divisions, Saladin had become vizier of Egypt in 1169 and had taken Damascus in 1174 and Aleppo in 1183.
2. 1185: 1185 Milestone — Saladin often made strategic truces with the Franks when he needed to deal with political problems in the Muslim world, and one such truce was made in 1185.
3. 1186: 1186 Milestone — Guy of Lusignan became king of Jerusalem in 1186, in right of his wife, Sibylla, after the death of her son Baldwin V.
4. 1187: 1187 Milestone — The Battle of Hattin took place on 4 July 1187, between the Crusader states of the Levant and the forces of the Ayyubid Sultanate of Egypt, led by Sultan Saladin.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Battle of Hattin

True or False: “Did the Battle of Hattin occur because Guy of Lusignan was forced to fight due to a direct, immediate threat from Saladin's main army?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The battle occurred after a series of escalating events, including raids and sieges, leading Guy to take advice against the counsel of experienced leaders like Raymond III.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Louis VIII of France — Historical peer (Born in 1187) (1187): King of France, known as The Lion, whose reign saw military campaigns and policy shifts.
• Ögedei Khan — Historical peer (Born in 1186) (1186): Second Khan of the Mongol Empire, continuing Genghis Khan's vast expansion.
• Song Ci — Historical peer (Born in 1186) (1186): Pioneering Chinese physician and forensic entomologist of the Southern Song dynasty.
• Benjamin of Tudela — Historical peer (Died in 1174) (1174): Medieval Jewish explorer whose travels described the geography of the 12th century.
• Hōjō Yasutoki — Historical peer (Born in 1183) (1183): Third Shikken of the Kamakura Shogunate, who solidified the Hōjō regency's power.
• Henry the Young King — Historical peer (Died in 1183) (1183): Eldest son of Henry II, titular King of England and Duke of Normandy.
• Afonso I of Portugal — Historical peer (Died in 1185) (1185): The first King of Portugal, founder of the independent Portuguese Kingdom.
• Bhāskara II — Historical peer (Died in 1185) (1185): Polymath of the Siddhānta school, renowned for advanced works in mathematics and astronomy.

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