Quick Facts
- In full:
- Najm al-DÄ«n AyyÅ«b ibn ShÄdhÄ«
- Died:
- 1173
- House / Dynasty:
- Ayyubid dynasty
- Notable Family Members:
- son Saladin
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Ayyūb
governor of Damascus
Also known as: Najm al-DÄ«n AyyÅ«b ibn ShÄdhÄ«
Ayyūb (died 1173) was the father of Saladin, and a member of a family of Kurdish soldiers of fortune who in the 12th century took service under the Seljuq Turkish rulers in Iraq and Syria. Appointed governor of Damascus, Ayyūb and his brother Shīrkūh united Syria in preparation for war against the crusaders. He gave his name to the dynasty his son, Saladin, founded, the Ayyūbids.
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