Mamluks were Muslim slave warriors who established a dynasty in Egypt. The word Mamluk was literally translated as slave, suggesting Turk origins. The Mamluks began as servants to the Muslim overlords, but began to rise through military ranks, eventually seizing power for themselves. However, in the late 18th century, Egypt was invaded by the Europeans, even though it brought little advantage to Napoleon or the French. This was a sign of how vulnerable Muslim core areas had been to European aggression and war. The Mamluks also had a unique style of fighting that worked well against the invading Mongols during the reign of Chinggis Kahn. It involved riding camels at great speeds while wielding scimitars, a sort of curved sword. This style of warfare was one of the main factors for the Mamluks being one of the few civilizations to ever fight off the Mongols.