The Seljuk Empire of Rum (1077–1308): How the Turks Made ...

✓ Last reviewed: May 2026 — Verified and updated by our licensed Turkey travel experts. Prices, opening hours and visa rules reflect the latest 2026 guidance. This article is part of our reverse-chronology exploration of Türkiye's past; you can find the full History of Türkiye series here. Quick Answer: The Seljuk Empire of Rum was a Turco-Persian Sunni Muslim state founded in Anatolia (modern Türkiye) that lasted from 1077 to 1308 . Born from the Seljuk victory at the Battle of Manzikert in 1071 , it was established by Suleiman ibn Qutalmish and reached its zenith under Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I from its capital, Konya , before succumbing to Mongol invasion. Before the grand domes of Istanbul’s mosques defined a skyline, before the Ottoman Empire became a global power, another Turkish empire laid the very foundation of modern Türkiye. This was the Sultanate of Rum, a kingdom of warrior-sultans, mystic poets, and master builders. It was the Seljuks who, over two centuries, transformed the ancient Roman province of Anatolia into the Turkish heartland we know today. Their story is not just one of conquest, but of extraordinary cultural fusion, architectural innovation, and enduring spiritual legacy. As we journey back through the History of Türkiye series , we arrive at the pivotal era when the Turks truly made Anatolia home. How Did the Turks First Arrive in Anatolia? To understand the Seljuks of Rum, we must first look east, to the steppes of Central Asia and the formidable Great Seljuk Empire. These Turkic peoples, new converts to Islam, had already carved out a vast domain across Persia and the Middle East. Anatolia, then the core territory of the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Empire, was a rich, tempting prize on their western frontier. For decades, Turkoman tribes had been raiding deeper into Byzantine lands, testing the defenses of a once-mighty empire now weakened by internal strife. The decisive moment came on a sweltering summer day, 26 August 1071 , near the t