The Empire of the Crowned Slaves

Roukn al-Din Baybars was born in 1223 in a Turkish tribe Kipchak installed in the Ukrainian Plains. He was captured by Mongolians horsemen and sold to a Russian slave trafficker who takes him to the city of La Tana, Venetian traderpost installed on the edge of the River named Don. There, he is bought at the slave market by a Venetian merchant who takes him in Syria where he is sold to an emir for the sum of 40 dinars.
The route of the slaves used two routes. The first passed through the Straits of the Bosporus and the Dardanelles, and then Constantinople. The other passed through Anatolia. It was in the town of Sivas was sold Baibars to the emir of the city of Aleppo.
He is incorporated in a school where young slaves are educated. At the end of his training, he joined the guard of the emir and the citadel where the Mamluks ensure its security. One day, he is spotted by the Sultan As-Salih Ayyub, who note his strength and his beauty and buys him to the Emir of Aleppo who may not refuse this request. He then joined the guard Mamluk of the Sultan and moved to Cairo.
In 1237, the Mongolians, who continue the conquests started by Genghis Khan, reach in Eastern Europe, which they plundered. In 1242, they leave in the countryside. This time, it will be the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the struggle between Christians and Muslims continues. In 1244, the Khwarezmians Turks take Jerusalem. The Pope called for a new crusade. Only the King of France Louis IX responds favorably. Convinced that the power of Islam lies in Egypt, he landed on the Egyptian coast and took the town of Damietta. On 20 November, the crusaders marched to Cairo. The two armies fight at Fariskour, near Mansoura. The Crusaders were defeated and the King of France is captured.
The Egyptian Sultan as-Salih Ayyub was dead 23 November 1249. His wife, Chaddar ad-Dour, ensures the Regency. Because the Christian enemy arrives and we must address this problem. Once the Christian danger is distant, Turan Shah, son of as-Salih, is murdered. But a woman cannot rule in Muslim countries. To work around this situation, Chaddar ad-Dour married the emir Aybak and named him as Sultan. Aybak, by her depraved and violent conduct, becomes a problem. Chaddar ad-Dour assassinates him before suffering the same fate. The emirs are the most powerful of them, Kutuz, designate as Sultan in November 12, 1259.
In autumn 1259, Hulegu, the khan of Central Asia resumed the offensive. The army of the King of little Armenia and Bohemond of Antioch joined him. In 18 January 1260, the siege is put before Aleppo who falling six days later. Comes the turn of Damascus who prefers to negotiate his surrender. The Syria is conquered. The way Egypt is free.
But in the summer 1259 the great khan Mongka died. Arik Boke and Koubilai, his brothers, fighting over the succession. Hulegu leaves for the Mongolia to help Koubilai. He leaves Kitbuga in command of his army. This one continued the offensive. He sent ambassadors to Cairo, ordering the Sultan Kutuz to submit. The ambassadors are beheaded. In September 3, 1260, the two armies fight at Ain Jalut. Kitbuga was killed and the Mongolians flee.
Kutuz promised Aleppo to Baibars, hoping that he would be killed during the confrontation. After the battle, he gave the post to one of his followers. Baybars decided to kill him. In October 22, 1260, during a hunting party, he hands him an ambush and he give hom the first blow. His comrades finishe him. The present emirs proclaim Baybars as Sultan. He went immediately to Cairo, acclaimed by the people.
During his years of reign, he leads a merciless combat to his enemies, Christians, Turks, Mongolian. He will make of Egypt and Syria, an Empire. The Empire of the Crowned Slaves which will reign on the Middle East until 1520.
Baibars died aged 56 after 17 years of reign.