actions from the people, with the
unscrupulous gains of office, and with rich fiefs from the state. The
mamelukes, as a body, thus occupied a prominent and powerful position,
and often, especially in later times, forced the Sultan to bend to
their will.

Such is the people which for two centuries and a half ruled Egypt with
a rod of iron, and whose history we shall now attempt to give.

It was about the middle of the twelfth century that Nureddin and King
Amalrich both turned a longing eye toward Egypt, where, in the
decrepitude of the Fatimites, dissension and misrule prevailed. The
Caliph, in alarm, sought aid first from one and then from the other;
and each in turn entered Egypt ostensibly for its defence, but in
reality for its possession. A friendly treaty was at last concluded
with both; but it was broken by Amalrich, who invaded the country and
demanded a heavy ransom. In this extremity, the Caliph again appealed
to Nureddin, sending locks of his ladies' hair in token of alarm.

Glad of the opportunity, Nureddin despatched his general, Shirkoh, to
the rescue, before whom Amalrich, crestfallen, retired. Shirkoh,
having thus delivered the Caliph, gained his favor, and, as vizier,
assumed the administration. Soon after he died; and his nephew,
Saladin, succeeded to the vizierate. The following year the Caliph
also died; and now Saladin, who had by vigorous measures put down all
opposition, himself as sultan took possession of the throne. Thus the
Fatimite dynasty, which had for two centuries ruled over Egypt, came
to an end.

Saladin was son of a Kurdish chief called Eyyub, and hence the dynasty
is termed Eyyubite. His capital was Cairo. He fortified the city,
using the little pyramid for material, and, abandoning the luxurious
palace of the Fatimites, laid the foundations of the Citadel on the
nearest crest of the Mokattam range, and to it transferred his
residence. After a prosperous rule over Egypt and Syria of above
twenty years he died, and his numerous family fell into dissension. At
last his brother Adlil, gaining the ascendency, achieved a splendid
reign not only at home, but also in the East, from Georgia to Aden. He
died of grief at the taking of Damietta by the crusaders, and his
grandson Eyyub succeeded to the throne.

It was now that the Charizmian hordes fell upon Syria, and, with
horrible atrocities, sacked the holy city. Forming an alliance with
these barbarians, the Sultan sent the mameluke ge