The Lydian Civilization was an ancient culture located in western Anatolia, in what is now modern-day Turkey. It flourished from around the 7th to the 6th century BCE and is best known for its wealth and trade. The Lydians were among the first to mint coins, which facilitated commerce and contributed to their economic power. The most famous king of Lydia was Croesus, known for his immense wealth. The Lydians spoke a language related to Greek and practiced a polytheistic religion. Their civilization eventually fell to the Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great around 546 BCE, marking the end of Lydian independence.