Battle of the Barges of the Basran soldiers, together with a number of civilians that had accompanied them, were killed during the fighting. The battle was a major victory for the Zanj, and it forced the Abbasid government to take a more direct role in the campaign against the rebels. The Zanj Rebellion had begun in early September 869, in the region of southern Iraq. It was led by one 'Ali ibn Muhammad, who had previously led failed attempts against the government in al-Bahrayn and Basra. 'Ali was able to quickly gather a major following, especially among the black slaves who had been employed
Battle of Montgisard Battle of Montgisard The Battle of Montgisard was fought between the Ayyubids and the Kingdom of Jerusalem on 25 November 1177. The 16-year-old King Baldwin IV, seriously afflicted by leprosy, led an out-numbered Christian force against the army of Saladin. The Muslim army was quickly routed and pursued for twelve miles. Saladin fled back to Cairo, reaching the city on 8 December. Muslim historians considered Saladin's defeat to be so severe that it was only redeemed by his victory at the Horns of Hattin in 1187. In 1177, King Baldwin IV, and Philip of Alsace who had recently arrived on