Final answer:
Saladin expanded his territory into the rest of Syria and Mosul by leveraging military victories, founding the Ayyubid dynasty in Egypt, and uniting Muslim factions to push back the Crusaders, leading to the significant fall of Jerusalem in 1187.
Step-by-step explanation:
Saladin was a remarkable figure in the 12th century, known for his strategy in extending his dominion beyond Syria. Following his capture of Damascus, Saladin successfully extended his reach by founding the Ayyubid dynasty from the remains of the Shia Fatimid Caliphate in Egypt. This established his power base which he further solidified through a combination of political acumen, strategic marriages, and military campaigns against the Crusaders. His most notable achievement came in 1187 when he waged jihad against the Crusaders and achieved a decisive victory at the Battle of the Horns of Hattin, leading to the fall of Jerusalem within months.
Saladin's methodology for expansion involved not just military might, but also diplomatic finesse, by allying with important local figures and integrating various Muslim factions under his leadership. He successfully played rival factions against one another and promoted the idea of a united Islamic front to fend off the Crusader states, known as Outremer. In this way, restoration of land and control was achieved not only through confrontation but also through alliance-building and consolidation of power among the Muslim princes.