Salah ad-Din Ayyubi (c.1138 – 1193), known in the Western world as Saladin, was a Kurdish Muslim, who became the first Ayyubid Sultan of Egypt and Syria. He led Islamic opposition to the Franks and other European Crusaders in the Levant. At the height of his power, he ruled over Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia, Hejaz, and Yemen. He led the Muslims against the Crusaders and eventually recaptured Palestine from the accounts of the siege of Kerak in Moab, and despite being the nemesis of the Crusaders he Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem after his victory in the Battle of Hattin. As such, he is a notable figure in  Muslim culture. His chivalrous behavior was noted by Christian chroniclers, especially in the won the respect of many of them, including Richard the Lionheart; rather than becoming a hated figure in Europe, he became a celebrated example of the principles of chivalry.