CALIPHS OF EGYPT. 57 



His general Jauher had sent a detachment of troops 

 towards Syria and Palestine; and with such gallant- 

 ry were his orders executed, that Ramla, Tiberias, 

 and Damascus, were compelled to swear allegiance 

 to the conqueror of Egypt. The name of Almoti was 

 suppressed, and that of Moez substituted in the 

 mosques, not only of Egypt, but in Syria and Ara- 

 bia, as far as the city of Medina ; Mecca being the 

 only place of importance that persisted in recognis- 

 ing the house of Abbas. Saladin, whose name stands 

 associated with the most brilliant achievements of 

 Mohammedan valour, was first elevated to the dig- 

 nity of vizier ; and by a series of artful and energetic 

 measures, he soon became absolute ruler of the coun- 

 try, and the founder of a new dynasty (A. D. 1171). 

 From the Indian Ocean to the mountains of Arme- 

 nia, from Tripoli to the Tigris, his power was felt and 

 acknowledged. Even in Arabia, the greater part of 

 which owned his authority, his name was inserted in 

 the public prayers. The title of Ayubites, by which 

 he and his successors are distinguished in history, 

 was derived from the name of his father. Under his 

 descendants Egypt was repeatedly assailed by the 

 Crusaders. Too feeble to defend themselves, the 

 Ayubite princes had recourse to the protection of 

 foreigners. Twelve thousand Turks from the shores 

 of the Caspian had been purchased, and trained to 

 military service as attendants of the royal person. 

 From being slaves, these Mamlouks soon became 

 masters; and at the end of twenty years from their 

 first introduction into the country, they murdered 

 the last successor of Saladin, and placed one of 

 their own chiefs, Azzaddin, on the throne (A. D. 

 1250). The sway of the Mamlouks and Borghites, 



