Aybak

Aybak (d. 1257) (Turkish: Aybeg; Arabic: المعز عز الدين أيبك) was the first of the Mameluke sultans of Egypt in the Turkish, or Bahri, line. He ruled from 1250 to 1257. He assumed power by marrying the wife of the next-to-last of the Ayyubid sultans of Egypt (the dynasty established by Saladin). For several years, he and his wife, Shajar al-Durr shared power in an uneasy but effective alliance. But ultimately --- in what was meant to be a preemptive strike against Aybak who was attempting to establish sole power --- the sultana had him murdered in 1257. She was killed in revenge shortly thereafter.

Before their deaths, Aybak and Shajar al-Durr firmly established the Mameluke Dynasty that would ultimately repulse the Mongols, expel the European Crusaders from the Holy Land, and would remain the most powerful political force in the Middle East until the coming of the Ottomans.