Saladin's Navy: Muslim Sea Power vs the Crusaders

Saladin is famous for his land campaigns and chivalric reputation, but his naval strategy was equally ambitious. This episode explores how the Ayyubid sultan built a fleet from scratch, challenged Crusader dominance in the Mediterranean, and fought key naval battles off Acre, Tyre, and the Egyptian coast. We look at the ship types—like the shalandi and galleys—the logistics of constructing a war fleet in ports such as Alexandria and Damietta, and the role of admirals like Ibn al-Bir and al-Maqsari. We also examine the limitations of Muslim naval power: the lack of timber, reliance on Byzantine and North African expertise, and the ultimate failure to break Crusader blockade tactics. Finally, we touch on the legacy of Saladin's naval efforts and how they shaped the Third Crusade. #Saladin #AyyubidNavy #CrusaderSeaPower #MediterraneanHistory #NavalWarfareMedieval #Shalandi #Galley #Acre1191 #Tyre1187 #Alexandria #Damietta #IbnAlBir #AlMaqsari #ThirdCrusade #RichardLionheart #MaritimeHistory #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo