Battle of Hattin

The Battle of Hattin took place in 1187 near the hills known as Horns of Hattin, close to Tiberias on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, in historical Palestine. It was fought between the forces of Saladin, the unified ruler of Egypt and the Levant, and the army of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem, commanded by King Guy de Lusignan.

The battle resulted in the destruction of the Crusader army and the capture of many commanders. This enabled Saladin to rapidly seize numerous coastal and inland cities, and ultimately to take Jerusalem that same year. The event triggered a new wave of military response in Europe, known as the Third Crusade.

Background

Saladin had united Egypt, much of the Levant, and Mesopotamia (northern Iraq), leaving the Crusader Kingdom isolated as a single political power. Among the Crusaders, there was internal division: some factions sought an agreement with Saladin while others opposed it. Attacks on Muslim trade routes broke the truce that had been in effect.

Course of the battle

Saladin attacked Tiberias to draw out the Crusader army from the water sources it held. The Crusader forces marched across arid terrain in intense heat without water. Muslim cavalry harassed the column continuously. The night before the battle they encamped in a waterless area near Horns of Hattin, and at dawn they were surrounded by fire and smoke. Part of the cavalry broke through the encirclement and scattered, but most of the army was captured.

Consequences

After his victory, Saladin took Acre, Sidon, Beirut, and other cities, eventually reaching Jerusalem, which he entered under terms of ransom allowing the Crusader population to leave the city. Tyre remained unconquered and became a stronghold for the surviving forces. News reached Europe, prompting the kings of England, France, and the Holy Roman Emperor to prepare a new crusade.