The Seljuk Empire Citizen was a TURK, a member of a Central Asian ethnic group that originated in the steppes of modern-day Mongolia. The Seljuks were a powerful dynasty that ruled over much of the Middle East and Central Asia from the 11th to the 13th centuries. They were known for their military prowess and their patronage of the arts and sciences. As citizens of the Seljuk Empire, Turks enjoyed a high level of social and political status.