Background
He was only eleven years old when his father died in 1174.
ruler of Syria emir of Damascus
He was only eleven years old when his father died in 1174.
As-Salih came under the protection of the eunuch Gümüshtegin and was taken to Aleppo, while Nur ad-Din"s officers competed for supremacy. In Egypt, Saladin recognized as-Salih as his lord, although he in fact was eager to unite Egypt and Syria under his own personal rule. In 1174, Saladin took Baalbek after a four-month siege and then entered Damascus, proclaiming himself to be Ismail"s true regent.
In 1176, he defeated the Zengids outside the city, married Nur ad-Din"s widow Ismat ad-Din Khatun, and was recognized as ruler of Syria.
As-Salih died in 1181. According to crusader legend, his mother was the sister of Bertrand of Toulouse, who had been captured by Nur ad-Din in the aftermath of the Second Crusade.
A similar legend existed concerning the mother of Zengi, as-Salih"s grandfather.
