The Seljuk Sultanate of Rum was a medieval Turkish state that emerged in the late 11th century in Anatolia, following the victory of the Seljuk Turks over the Byzantine Empire at the Battle of Manzikert in 1071. It served as a significant political and cultural center, promoting the spread of Islam and Turkish culture in the region. The sultanate reached its peak in the 12th and 13th centuries, with notable rulers like Sultan Kayqubad I. It played a crucial role in the interactions between the Islamic world and Christian Europe, especially during the Crusades. The sultanate eventually declined due to internal strife and external pressures, leading to its absorption by the Mongol Empire in the 13th century.