a map of turkey with a crescent and star on it

The history of Turkey spans thousands of years, encompassing the rise and fall of great civilizations, empires, and cultural shifts. Below is an overview of its historical timeline:Ancient History (Prehistoric to 330 BCE)Prehistoric Periods:Early human settlements in Anatolia date back to 7500 BCE, with sites like Çatalhöyük, one of the world's oldest known urban centers.Hittites (1600–1200 BCE) established one of the first significant Anatolian empires.Iron Age Kingdoms:After the collapse of the Hittites, smaller states such as Lydia, Phrygia, and Urartu emerged.The Lydians introduced coinage.Classical Period (330 BCE – 324 CE)Persian and Hellenistic Influence:Anatolia came under Persian rule until Alexander the Great's conquest (4th century BCE).After Alexander's death, the region was divided among his generals, leading to Hellenistic kingdoms like the Seleucids and Pergamon.Roman Rule:By the 1st century BCE, Anatolia became part of the Roman Empire.