Dive into the rich and complex history of ancient Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). Trace the kingdoms, civilizations, and figures ranging from the powerful Hittite Empire of the Bronze Age and the mysterious Arzawa to iconic Greek and Carian cities like Ephesus, Smyrna (Izmir), and Halicarnassus. Discover the rise, fall, and lasting legacies of the ancient Aegean and Anatolian kingdoms that ruled these lands. This list focuses on the indigenous powers of the region, excluding foreign invaders like the Achaemenid Empire, the Macedonian Empire, and the Roman Empire.