Throughline: The Battle for Jerusalem

Host/Author: NPR
Episode Title: The Battle For Jerusalem
Release Date: October 3, 2024

Throughline, NPR's time-traveling podcast, takes listeners on a journey beyond the headlines to explore the historical forces that have shaped our world. In the episode titled "The Battle For Jerusalem," hosts Rund Abdelfatah and Ramtin Arablouei delve into the pivotal conflicts surrounding this sacred city, examining the motivations, strategies, and enduring impacts of the Crusades and the rise of Saladin.

1. The Call to Arms: The First Crusade

The episode opens with a reenactment of Pope Urban II’s impassioned speech at Clermont, France, on November 27, 1095. In a moment that would ignite centuries-long conflicts, Pope Urban II urges Western Christians to embark on a pilgrimage turned holy war to reclaim Jerusalem from Muslim rule.

Pope Urban II (01:47): "A race utterly alienated from God has invaded the land of the Christians."

Ramtin Arab Louie narrates the fervor of the time, explaining how Pope Urban II's call resonated deeply in a highly religious society saturated with imagery of sin and redemption.

Arab Louie (03:10): "He asked the knights of Western Europe to undertake this enormous journey, a form of pilgrimage in which they would go thousands of miles, largely into unknown territory."

Historian Commentary (04:02): The Pope framed the Crusade as both a penitential act and a divine mission, promising eternal glory in the Kingdom of Heaven for those who participated.

The First Crusade saw an unprecedented mobilization, with estimates suggesting an initial force of 50,000 fighters embarking on the arduous journey. Despite facing fierce opposition and immense hardships, by summer 1099, the Crusaders reached Jerusalem.

2. The Siege and Capture of Jerusalem (1099)

Upon arrival, the Crusaders laid siege to Jerusalem's formidable walls. Sandy Kaplan provides a vivid account of the siege's brutality, contrasting it with Saladin’s later conquest.

Kaplan (08:06): "On July 15, 1099, the Crusaders finally break through the walls of Jerusalem."

The subsequent sacking of the city was marked by unprecedented violence, with Pope Urban II recounting the horrors inflicted upon the Muslim defenders.

Pope Urban II (09:09): "None of them were left alive. Neither women nor children were spared."

This brutal conquest left a lasting scar, setting the stage for enduring animosity between Christian and Muslim worlds.

3. The Rise of Saladin: Uniting the Muslim World

Fast forward to the mid-12th century, the episode introduces Salahdin Yusuf Ibn Ayub, known as Saladin, whose emergence would redefine the balance of power in the Middle East. Born in 1138 in Tikrit, Saladin rose from his Kurdish roots to become a unifying force against the fractured Muslim empires of the time: the Fatimid Caliphate in Egypt and the Seljuq Sultanate in Syria.

Historian Paul Cobb (13:07): "This was a complicated web of factions and rivalries... but this situation would be completely altered by someone born in a small city in the heart of the Middle East."

Saladin's strategic acumen and generous leadership style earned him both loyalty and respect. Suleiman Murad, a professor of religion and Middle Eastern studies, highlights Saladin's diplomatic prowess:

Murad (17:50): "He won everybody over by his shrewdness, by his generosity."

Despite initial loyalties to his feudal lord, Nur Al Din, Saladin seized the opportunity following Nur Al Din's death in 1174, consolidating his power to rule over Syria and Egypt. This unification laid the groundwork for his future campaigns against the Crusader states.

4. Baldwin IV: The Leper King of Jerusalem

The narrative shifts to Jerusalem in the late 12th century, introducing Baldwin IV, known as the Leper King. Born in 1161, Baldwin ascended to the throne at just 13 years old after the sudden death of his father, Amalric.

Ramtin Arab Louie (27:20): "His tutor, William of Tyre, noticed that... Baldwin, although his comrades did not spare him, endured it altogether too patiently, as if he felt nothing."

Despite his debilitating illness, Baldwin IV proved to be a competent and courageous ruler. However, his declining health intensified the kingdom's succession crisis, eventually placing his sister, Sybilla, and her husband, Guy of Lusignan, at the center of political turmoil.

5. Political Intrigue and the Path to Conflict

Sybilla’s marriage to Guy of Lusignan stirred tensions among Jerusalem’s nobility, who viewed Guy as an outsider unfit to lead. This discord was exacerbated by the aggressive actions of Reynald de Chatillon, whose violation of a truce provided Saladin with a pretext to unite the Muslim factions against the Crusaders.

Historian (35:23): "Reynald de Chatillon was known for being impulsive and extremely violent."

6. The Battle of Hattin: Saladin’s Decisive Victory

In 1187, Saladin assembled a formidable force of 30,000 troops to confront the weakened Crusader army of 20,000 stationed near the village of Hattin. Employing tactical brilliance, Saladin avoided direct confrontation, instead opting to deplete the Crusaders through relentless harassment and strategic maneuvers.

Ramtin Arab Louie (39:41): "Saladin did not want to attack the Franks head on, even though he had a larger force. Instead, he chose to be patient."

The Crusaders, exhausted and dehydrated, found themselves encircled with dwindling hope.

Saladin's Son (47:55): "The sultan dismounted, prostrated himself in thanks to God Almighty, and he wept for joy."

The Battle of Hattin concluded with a decisive Saladin victory, leading to the capture of key Crusader leaders, including Guy of Lusignan and the notorious Reynald de Chatillon.

7. Reclaiming Jerusalem: A Contrast in Leadership

Unlike the massacre of 1099, Saladin’s reconquest of Jerusalem in 1187 was marked by restraint and orders to protect civilians.

Arab Louie (50:02): "Unlike the Crusaders, in 1099, he would take the city without massacring civilians."

This act not only solidified Saladin’s reputation as a just and magnanimous leader but also set a contrasting precedent in the treatment of conquered populations.

8. Legacy and Lasting Impact

The loss of Jerusalem was a profound blow to Christendom, inspiring subsequent Crusades, though none matched the first in success. Jerusalem remained under Muslim control for centuries, underscoring the enduring significance of Saladin's leadership and the complex interplay of religious and political motivations that continue to resonate today.

Suleiman Murad (51:25): "The fact that we think the Crusades can be relevant to our moment is because our moment is a period of clash."

Conclusion

"The Battle For Jerusalem" meticulously unpacks the intricate history of one of the most contested cities in the world. By weaving together primary sources, expert insights, and compelling narratives, Throughline offers listeners a comprehensive understanding of how the clash between the Crusaders and Saladin shaped the geopolitical and cultural landscapes of the Middle Ages—a legacy that still echoes in contemporary conflicts.

Notable Quotes:

• Pope Urban II (01:47): "A race utterly alienated from God has invaded the land of the Christians."
• Ramtin Arab Louie (03:10): "He asked the knights of Western Europe to undertake this enormous journey..."
• Suleiman Murad (17:50): "He won everybody over by his shrewdness, by his generosity."
• Historian Tom Madden (35:23): "Reynald de Chatillon was known for being impulsive and extremely violent."
• Saladin’s Son (47:55): "The sultan dismounted, prostrated himself in thanks to God Almighty, and he wept for joy."
• Suleiman Murad (51:25): "The fact that we think the Crusades can be relevant to our moment is because our moment is a period of clash."

This episode is a testament to Throughline's commitment to bringing history to life, offering listeners deep insights into the factors that have shaped enduring conflicts and alliances.