Saltuk II

Saltuk II (also known as Muzafferüddin Saltuk II) was the last known ruler of the Saltukid dynasty, a Turkish Beylik that controlled Erzurum and surrounding areas in eastern Anatolia during the 12th century. He succeeded his father, İzzeddin Saltuk I, and ruled until his death or deposition sometime around 1202. Historical records pertaining to his reign are scarce and fragmented, making a detailed biography difficult to construct.

His reign was marked by continued pressure from the expanding Seljuk Sultanate of Rum and the Ayyubid dynasty. He is primarily known for his involvement in the complex political landscape of Anatolia, often shifting allegiances between various Seljuk and Ayyubid factions to preserve his Beylik's autonomy.

Ultimately, Saltuk II was unable to prevent the annexation of the Saltukid territories. Around 1202, the Seljuk Sultan Süleyman II of Rum captured Erzurum, effectively ending Saltukid rule and incorporating the region into the Seljuk Sultanate. The fate of Saltuk II after this event is uncertain; some accounts suggest he was imprisoned or killed, while others claim he was allowed to retire.

While details regarding Saltuk II's personality, policies, and specific achievements are limited, he remains a significant figure as the last representative of the Saltukid dynasty and a symbol of the struggles faced by smaller Turkish Beyliks against larger, more powerful neighbors in Anatolia during the late 12th and early 13th centuries.