Ancient history

Zenghi Imad ed-Din

1084 - died in 1146

Son of a Turkish captain, founder of the Zenguide dynasty, he first had a brilliant military career in the Seljuk armies. He was made governor of Syria and Mesopotamia (1122), seized Aleppo, Homs, Hamah. Installed in Syria, he fights the Christians, then the Seljuks. He achieved his greatest success by taking the fortress of Edessa from the Franks (1144), but died two years later assassinated by one of his slaves.

He was the father of Nour ed-Din.