Türkiye has had a significant impact on Mediterranean history. Its advantageous position at the intersection of two continents made it an important hub and staging area for commerce routes between the East and West. Over the ages, many empires came and went, beginning with the Hittites, who were competitors of the legendary Egyptian pharaohs.

Following the fall of the Roman Empire, Rome, and Constantinople—now known as Istanbul—shared capital status. As the capital of the vast Ottoman empire at the time, the city enjoyed more than four centuries of imperial support.