Sultan Alp Arslan was the second ruler of the Seljuk Empire, reigning from 1063 to 1072. He is best known for his military prowess and for expanding the empire significantly during his reign. His most famous victory came at the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, where he defeated the Byzantine Empire, paving the way for Turkish settlement in Anatolia. Alp Arslan was also known for his administrative skills and efforts to promote education and culture within his empire. He was a patron of scholars and encouraged the spread of Islamic teachings, contributing to the cultural development of the region during the medieval period.