The Third Crusade became one of the largest campaigns of the Middle Ages. The fall of Jerusalem in 1187 shook Europe and compelled emperors and kings to launch a new expedition against Saladin. Frederick Barbarossa marched across Asia Minor, while Philip II and Richard the Lionheart led their armies by sea with the aim of reclaiming the Holy Land. At the center of this story were the decisive battles for the Holy Land. The siege of Acre turned into a grueling ordeal for both armies; Richard’s victory at the Battle of Arsuf demonstrated his military brilliance; and the struggle for Jaffa revealed how fragile the balance of power truly was. Although Jerusalem remained under Muslim control, the Third Crusade reshaped the map of the region and concluded with a truce that determined the fate of the Holy Land for years to come. Recommended Videos : The First Crusade - The Second Crusade - #documentary