2 oct. 1187 - The fall of Jerusalem

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After capturing almost every Crusader city, Saladin focused on Jerusalem, preferring to avoid bloodshed by offering generous terms of surrender. However, the city's defenders vowed to fight to the death rather than hand over their holy city peacefully. On 2 October 1187, after a siege, Jerusalem capitulated. Initially reluctant to guarantee safety to the Frankish inhabitants, Saladin agreed to do so after Balian of Ibelin threatened to kill 5,000 Muslim hostages and destroy Islamic holy sites if terms were not offered. The terms, including a low ransom for the city's poorer citizens, were publicly announced, allowing 40 days for payment. Patriarch Heraclius of Jerusalem helped pay ransoms for about 18,000 people, while 15,000 others were enslaved. Saladin's brother al-Adil even freed a thousand on the spot.

Saladin also allowed Jews to resettle in Jerusalem, notably inviting those from the Jewish settlement of Ascalon. Despite the strategic advantage of capturing Tyre first, Saladin prioritized Jerusalem, a city of immense religious significance to Islam. Tyre remained a stronghold under Conrad of Montferrat, resisting Saladin's sieges.

After the fall of Jerusalem, Saladin had interactions with Queen Tamar of Georgia, who successfully negotiated the return of possessions from Georgian monasteries in Jerusalem. Despite efforts, she could not secure the relics of the True Cross, captured by Saladin at the Battle of Hattin. Saladin even considered extending his campaigns to Europe, expressing a desire to invade, distribute his territories, and either convert Europeans to Islam or die trying. This ambitious plan highlighted his commitment to his faith and the breadth of his military aspirations.

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