The Old Aegean Region is an area of the eastern Mediterranean that was inhabited by the ancient Greeks. The region is known for its rich cultural heritage and is often referred to as Ionia, which is a five-letter word derived from the Greek language. Ionia was home to some of the most influential cities in the ancient world, such as Miletus, Ephesus, and Smyrna. It was also the birthplace of many of the great philosophers, including Thales, Anaximander, and Heraclitus.