Sultanate of Rum

Quick Facts: Who was Sultanate of Rum?

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Sultanate of Rum

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A powerful Turco-Persian Sunni Muslim state in Anatolia, foundational to Turkish history.

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Origins & Early Life

The Sultanate of Rum, or Seljuk Sultanate of Rum, was a culturally Turco-Persian, Sunni Muslim state established over conquered Byzantine territories and peoples (Rum) of Anatolia by the Seljuk Turks following their entry into Anatolia after the Battle of Manzikert in 1071. The name Rum was a synonym for the medieval Roman Empire and its peoples, as it remains in modern Turkish. The name is derived from the Aramaic (romī) and Parthian (frwm) names for ancient Rome, which had reached these languages via the Greek Ῥωμαῖοι (Romaioi). The Seljuk Turks used the name to refer to Anatolia. The Sultanate of Rum is considered to be the beginning of Turkish history in Anatolia.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The Sultanate of Rum seceded from the Seljuk Empire under Suleiman ibn Qutalmish in 1077. It had its capital first at Nicaea and then at Iconium. It reached the height of its power during the late 12th and early 13th century, when it succeeded in taking key Byzantine ports on the Mediterranean and Black Sea coasts. In the east, the sultanate reached Lake Van. Trade through Anatolia from Iran and Central Asia was developed by a system of caravanserai.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Especially strong trade ties with the Genoese formed during this period. The increased wealth allowed the sultanate to absorb other Turkish states that had been established following the conquest of Byzantine Anatolia: Danishmendids, House of Mengüjek, Saltukids, Artuqids. The Seljuk sultans bore the brunt of the Crusades and eventually succumbed to the Mongol invasion at the 1243 Battle of Köse Dağ. For the remainder of the 13th century, the Seljuks acted as vassals of the Ilkhanate. Their power disintegrated during the second half of the 13th century.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1071: 1071 Milestone — The Sultanate of Rum, or Seljuk Sultanate of Rum, was a culturally Turco-Persian, Sunni Muslim state established over conquered Byzantine territories and peoples (Rum) of Anatolia by the Seljuk Turks following their entry into Anatolia after the Battle of Manzikert in 1071.
2. 1077: 1077 Milestone — The Sultanate of Rum seceded from the Seljuk Empire under Suleiman ibn Qutalmish in 1077.
3. 1243: 1243 Milestone — The Seljuk sultans bore the brunt of the Crusades and eventually succumbed to the Mongol invasion at the 1243 Battle of Köse Dağ.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Sultanate of Rum

True or False: “The Sultanate of Rum was established immediately after the Battle of Manzikert in 1071.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While the battle preceded its rise, the sultanate itself was formally established by Suleiman ibn Qutalmish starting around 1077.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Sultanate of Rum