Contest for Egypt : the collapse of the Fatimid caliphate, the ebb of crusader influence, and the rise of Saladin

"For about a decade, Amalric, the crusader king of Jerusalem, Nur al-Din, the Turkic ruler of Damascus and Aleppo, and Shawar, the vizier of Fatimid Egypt, would vie for control over one of the wealthiest regions around the Mediterranean. In the end, it was Saladin, the nephew of one of Nur al-Din's commanders, who would emerge as the last man standing. Contest for Egypt is the first modern study devoted exclusively to this tripartite struggle for influence. Readers are introduced to the background and aftermath, while focus is placed on examining the central actions, motives and ambitions that shaped events between 1164 and 1174"--ISBN : 9789004512276 "For about a decade, Amalric, the crusader king of Jerusalem, Nur al-Din, the Turkic ruler of Damascus and Aleppo, and Shawar, the vizier of Fatimid Egypt, would vie for control over one of the wealthiest regions around the Mediterranean. In the end, it was Saladin, the nephew of one of Nur al-Din's commanders, who would emerge as the last man standing. Contest for Egypt is the first modern study devoted exclusively to this tripartite struggle for influence. Readers are introduced to the background and aftermath, while focus is placed on examining the central actions, motives and ambitions that shaped events between 1164 and 1174"-- Provided by publisher Contents Preface Abbreviations List of Rulers Maps Introduction Chapter 1 Ailing Masters of the Nile Chapter 2 Kings of the City of the King of Kings Chapter 3 Light of the Faith Chapter 4 Campaign of 1164 First Interlude (1164–1167) Chapter 5 Campaign of 1167 Second Interlude (1167–1168) Chapter 6 Campaign of 1168 Third Interlude (1169) Chapter 7 Campaign of 1169 Chapter 8 The Interim Status Quo 1170 1171 1172–1173 Chapter 9 End of an Era, 1174 A New World Order Chapter 10 Aftermath The Dream Lives On Bibliography Index Preface -- Maps -- Abbreviations -- List of rulers -- Introduction -- Ailing masters of the Nile -- Kings of the city of the King of kings -- Light of the faith -- Campaign of 1164 -- Campaign of 1167 -- Campaign of 1168 -- Campaign of 1169 -- The interim status quo -- End of an Era, 1174 -- Aftermath -- Bibliography -- Index In the late twelfth century, Catholic crusaders, Sunni Turks and Kurds, and the eclectic armies of Fatimid Egypt repeatedly clashed along the Nile. The result of this conflict would fundamentally alter the balance of power in the Middle East.