La leggenda di Saladino

The work is a scholarly exploration of the medieval legend that grew up around the famed Muslim leader known as Saladin, tracing how Christian and Western writers fashioned his image. It presents the author’s careful notes, the clash between fact and fiction, and even an early Latin poem dating from 1187 that first spread the tale. Listeners will glimpse the tangled web of rumors, rivalries and political intrigue that shaped his early reputation.

The narrative delves into contrasting portrayals—hostile Christian stories of betrayal and murder set against more balanced accounts that correct obvious exaggerations. By comparing a variety of sources, it reveals how accusations of adultery, poisonings and usurped thrones emerged from the trauma of the Crusades. By the end, listeners will appreciate the complexities of medieval memory and the way legends can both conceal and illuminate historical truth.