In the late twelfth century, Catholic crusaders, Sunni Turks and Kurds, and the eclectic armies of Fatimid Egypt repeatedly clashed along the Nile. The result of this conflict would fundamentally alter the balance of power in the Middle East.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preface -- Maps -- Abbreviations -- Rulers -- Introduction -- 1 Ailing Masters of the Nile -- 2 Kings of the City of the King of Kings -- 3 Light of the Faith -- 4 Campaign of 1164 -- 1 Elsewhere -- 2 First Interlude (1164-1167) -- 5 Campaign of 1167 -- 1 Standoff across the Nile -- 2 The Battle of al-Babayn -- 3 The Siege of Alexandria -- 4 Elsewhere -- 5 Second Interlude (1167-1168) -- 6 Campaign of 1168 -- 1 Dividing Egypt -- 2 Conquest or Extortion -- 3 An Appeal to Nur al-Din -- 4 The Blame Game.

For about a decade, Amalric, the crusader king of Jerusalem, Nur al-Din, the Turkic ruler of Damascus and Aleppo, and Shawar, the vizier of Fatimid Egypt, would vie for control over one of the wealthiest regions around the Mediterranean. In the end, it was Saladin, the nephew of one of Nur al-Din’s commanders, who would emerge as the last man standing. Contest for Egypt is the first modern study devoted exclusively to this tripartite struggle for influence. Readers are introduced to the background and aftermath, while focus is placed on examining the central actions, motives and ambitions that shaped events between 1164 and 1174.

Description based on print version record.