1. Ibn al-Khayyat al-Dimashqi (d. 1123/24) Very little known about him Poet in the service of an amir named ‘Adb al-Dawla

2. Ibn al-Qaysarani (b. Acre 1085, d. Damascus 1154) Initially from Caesarea, but fled Frankish invasion to Damascus Was superintendent of mechanical clocks and poet, but satires offended ruler Taj al-Muluk Buri (r. 1128-32). Had to leave Passed into service of Zangi, then Nur al-Din, for both of whom wrote panegyrics

3. Usama ibn Munqidh (4/7/1095-16/11/1188) Usama ibn Murshid ibn ‘Ali ibn Munqidh From Shayzar in N. Syria Lived in Shayzar until c. 1131, then served Zangi for a few years before returning home. Exiled from Shayzar again in 1138 Murshid (d. 1137)Sultan

4. Usama ibn Munqidh (4/7/1095-16/11/1188) Joined court in Damascus, but became embroiled in politics and had to leave in 1144. Went to Egypt. Became embroiled in politics and had to leave in 1154. Joined court of Nur al-Din in Damascus

5. Usama ibn Munqidh (4/7/1095-16/11/1188) Retired to Hisn Kayfa in c. 1164. In 1174 allowed son Murhaf to persuade him to join court of Saladin. Usama and Saladin fell out two years later Best known to historians for Kitab al-I‘tibar (Book of Learning by Example)

6. Ibn al-Athir (d. 1160-1233) ‘Izz al-Din Abu’l-Hasan ‘Ali ibn al-Athir Scholar and historian. Spent most of life in Mosul but also travelled a bit to study or with brother, who was a deputy of Saladin Wrote number of works. Best known is al-Kamil fi’l-Ta’rikh, a universal history from creation to 1231