Baybars I (1233-1277), Mamluk Sultan of Egypt (1260-1277), originally a Turkish. In 1260 he led the Mamluks against the Mongols at the Battle of Ayn Jalut, Palestine. Shortly afterwards he killed the Sultan and assumed supreme control. During his rule Egypt became the most powerful Muslim state in the Middle East. Baybars waged a successful war against the Crusaders in Syria and in 1268 put an end to the Norman principality of Antioch. His power towards the south extended over Nubia and he controlled most of Arabia. His exploits gave rise to many legends, the most famous of which is the Romance of Baybars.