Ancient Near East Subsequently, the Medes controlled much of the ancient Near East from their base in Ecbatana (modern-day Hamadan, Iran), most notably most of what is now Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and the South Caucasus. Following the fall of the Medes, the Achaemenid Empire was the first of the Persian Empires to rule over most of the Near East and far beyond, and the second great Iranian empire (after the Median Empire). At the height of its power, encompassing approximately 7.5 million square kilometers, the Achaemenid Empire was territorially the largest empire of classical antiquity, and the first world empire. It spanned three
Ancient City of Aleppo nine historical gates (many of them are well-preserved) of the old town. These are, clockwise from the north-east of the citadel: Aleppo was home to 177 hammams during the medieval period, until the Mongol invasion when many vital structures in the city were destroyed. Nowadays, roughly 18 hammams are operating in the old city. Old quarters around the citadel inside the walls of the ancient city: Old quarters outside the walls of the ancient city: As an ancient trading centre, Aleppo's impressive "souqs", "khans", "hammams", "madrasas", mosques and churches are all in need of more care and preservation work. After