Lydia

Lydia, an ancient Iron Age kingdom, thrived in western Anatolia, present-day Turkey. Renowned for its political cohesion, the Lydian people established an independent kingdom by the sixth century BC, reaching its zenith in the seventh century BC when it encompassed all of western Anatolia.

The capital of this influential kingdom was Sardis, a city that played a pivotal role in its administration and culture. In five hundred forty-six BC, Lydia transitioned into a satrapy of the Achaemenid Empire, referred to as Sparda in Old Persian, marking a significant shift in its governance.

By one hundred thirty-three BC, Lydia became integrated into the Roman province of Asia, further embedding its legacy within the annals of history. Among its notable contributions to the ancient world, Lydian coins, crafted from electrum, are recognized as some of the oldest known currency, dating back to around the seventh century BC.