Mamelukes

Mamelukes, group of ruling warriors in Egypt. First brought to Egypt as slaves (10th century), many members of this warrior caste eventually rose to power (1250–1517). After 1517, when Ottoman rule of Egypt was established, the Mamelukes became influential whenever the ruling Turks' power waned. The Mamelukes headed an unsuccessful attack against Napoleon I in Egypt (1798), and were massacred by the Turks shortly afterwards.