After its demise, the Hittite empire was succeeded by several smaller kingdoms in southern Anatolia and Syria, the so called “Neo-Hittite” kingdoms, preserving important traits of imperial Hittite culture well into the first millenium BCE. The study of these kingdoms in southern Anatolia and Syria is currently one of the most exciting, innovative and dynamic subjects in Ancient Near Eastern History and Archaeology. The course will provide a comprehensive, up to date overview on the history, the culture and the archaeology of Anatolia and northern Syria in the first half of the first millennium BCE. New developments in the study of the Phrygians, the Lydians and the Lycians will be presented as well.