Comparing himself to various historical figures, Saddam towered over Iraq. Surprisingly for a man who was at the fulcrum of international affairs for much of his career, Saddam had travelled to the West just once. His trip to France in the 1970s was to purchase nuclear technology.
His close aides have often spoken of how insular he was and what a loner, surrounded by only his closest family or members of his clan. And even they were not free from his ruthlessness. His sons-in-law were killed after they spoke against his rule.
Over the years, his flamboyant public appearances also dwindled and his family life suffered.
Images: (Left) Saddam Hussein sits in a carriage coach on his 56th birthday. Saddam waves to his supporters in a rare public appearance in Baghdad.
Photograph: Ina and Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images
Also see: Auschwitz: The evil that man did
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