Timur (1336-1405), historically known as Tamerlane was a Turk who conquered West, South and Central Asia, and the founder of the Timurid dynasty. Timur envisioned the restoration of the Mongol Empire of Genghis Khan. He was also a devout Muslim and referred to himself as the Sword of Islam. His armies were multi-ethnic and multicultural, ferocious and feared throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe. Timur is regarded as a military genius and a tactician whose prowess made him one of the world's great conquerors. He was also a great patron of art and architecture. Timur died during an uncharacteristic winter campaign against the ruling Chinese Ming Dynasty in 1405 at the age of 68.