Turkish history spans thousands of years, beginning with ancient civilizations like the Hittites and Phrygians. The region later saw the rise of the Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire, which played significant roles in shaping its culture and politics. In the 11th century, the Seljuk Turks migrated to Anatolia, paving the way for the Ottoman Empire, founded in the late 13th century. The Ottomans expanded their territory across Europe, Asia, and Africa, becoming a major world power until their decline in the 19th century, leading to the establishment of the modern Republic of Turkey in 1923.