MBTI Type: INTJ

Saladin is a brilliant military strategist, who also avoids all of the biases of his faith against Christians, in an open-minded and tolerant way; when Balian says that when Christians took Jerusalem, they killed every Muslim within the walls they could find, casting doubt that Saladin would let them pass with their women and children unharmed, Saladin says, “But I am not those men,” with the implication that he keeps his word. He has a respectful peace with Baldwin, whom he admires as a man of peace and virtue, and agrees with him to call a truce provided Baldwin punishes the man who started conflict by killing some of his men. He comes to Jerusalem intent on taking it, but has a grander picture in mind, and is content to wait until he’s sure that Balain will negotiate for peace. He remarks that Balian is such a good fighter, perhaps his servant was a fool to let him live, but abides by it, and believes that everyone’s fate is in God’s hands. He often speaks in metaphorical terms. He says when he is not a king, he quakes for Islam, and “a king does not kill a king; were you not close enough to a great king to learn by his example?” When asked why he has not taken territory before, Saladin points out to his over-enthusiastic military commander the rational reasons for not doing so, which are expenses, men, horsepower, and a lack of gaining anything from it. “The results of battles ARE determined by God, but also by preparation, numbers, the absence of disease, and the availability of water. One cannot maintain a siege with the enemy behind. How many battles did God win for the Muslims before I came… that is, before God determined that I should come?” (Ni/Te). Saladin is a very moral man, who abides by his word, and does not conduct himself according to external standards; when he muses that perhaps his servant should have killed Balian, to prevent them this war, his servant replies that he should have had a different teacher then (because Saladin taught him to let men live who are honorable). Though an efficient military leader, Saladin hangs back from battle and lets others fight, obviously out of his low Se.

Enneagram: 1w9 sp/so

“What man is a man who does not make the world better?” Saladin approaches life with a blend of a strong desire to do something to improve it, and a high tolerance for differences. He does not condemn those of other faiths, but allows them to thrive provided they do nothing to hurt his Muslims. He reaches a compromise with Baldwin, and even seeing that he is suffering, sends his best physicians to tend his leprosy. He abides by the promises he makes, circumventing the expectations of Christians that they will find him ruthless and treacherous. But he also does not want unnecessary conflict, and will agree to a compromise, a ceasefire, or a retreat to spare his men and keep peace between him and the Christians. He is also quite thoughtful and ponderous; when Balian threatens to burn down Jerusalem and destroy all the holy places that drive men “mad,” Saladin muses that perhaps that would be best for everyone.

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