Shirkuh (Sherko) | |||||
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![]() 13th century European depiction of Adîd abû Muhammad and Shîrkûh (upper panel), with the arrival of Amalric at Constantinople (lower panel) | |||||
Vizier of the Fatimid Caliphate | |||||
Reign | 18 January – 23 March 1169 | ||||
Predecessor | Shawar | ||||
Successor | Saladin (Vizier) | ||||
Born | Dvin, Armenia | ||||
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Father | Shadhi Bin Marwan (Kurdish Chief) | ||||
Religion | Islam |
Asad ad-Dīn Shīrkūh bin Shādhī (Kurdish: ئەسەدەدین شێرکۆ, romanized: Esed El-Dîn Şêrko; Arabic: أسد الدين شيركوه بن شاذي), also known as Shirkuh, or Şêrko (meaning "lion of the mountains" in Kurdish) (died 22 February 1169) was a Kurdish Mercenary commander[1][2] in service of the Zengid dynasty, and uncle of Saladin. His military and diplomatic efforts in Egypt were a key factor in establishing the Ayyubid dynasty in that country.