What you didn't know about Troy

Introduction

Troy is an ancient city located in Anatolia, a region comprising the Asian part of modern-day Turkey, close to the Dardanelles. It became famous due to Homer’s epic poem “The Iliad,” which describes the Trojan War, a ten-year conflict between Trojans and Greeks. Although the existence of Troy had been known for centuries, it wasn’t until the 19th century that British archaeologist John Lloyd Stephens discovered the ruins in Hisarlik, a hill in the northwest province of Çanakkale. Since then, several excavations have revealed insights into this historical site, its geographical location, and the wars it witnessed.

Location of Troy

Troy was strategically located near the Hellespont, the narrow waterway joining the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara, which allowed it to control the trade routes between Europe, Asia, and the Black Sea. It was situated on a small hill near the Scamander River, with a view of the plain of the Simois River, which is known as the Trojan plain. Its location was of great importance throughout ancient history, from the Bronze Age to the Byzantine Empire. The city was built in layers, with successive civilizations adding new constructions atop the rubble of the previous ones.

Troy's Wars

Troy was at the center of many wars due to its strategic location and rich resources. Here are some of the most notable ones.

1. Troy VI and VII

The first recorded conflict involving Troy dates back to 1250 BCE, and it’s known as the Troy VI-VIIa war. The city’s seventh layer, Troy VII, had a widespread destruction layer, probably caused by an earthquake or fire. This led to the widespread belief that the cause of the destruction was the mythical Trojan War described by the poet Homer. However, there is no direct evidence of the conflict, and some historians speculate that Troy’s destruction was caused by an internal conflict rather than an external attack.

2. The Trojan War

The Trojan War is the most well-known conflict involving Troy, and it’s also the most legendary and controversial. The war was fought between the Greeks and the Trojans in the late Bronze Age, around the 12th century BCE. The reason for the conflict was a dispute over the beautiful Helen, wife of the Spartan king Menelaus, who was kidnapped by Paris, the Trojan prince. The Greeks, led by the Spartan king Agamemnon, then launched a ten-year siege of Troy, which ultimately led to its destruction.

The Trojan War is one of the most significant events in Greek mythology, and it has been portrayed in numerous works of literature, film, and art. Homer’s epic poem “The Iliad” is the most famous depiction of the war, which describes the battles and the tragedies that occurred during the conflict. The war ended when the Greeks used a giant wooden horse to infiltrate the city and defeat the Trojans.

The authenticity of the Trojan War has been a topic of debate for centuries. Although it’s widely believed that the conflict occurred, some historians argue that the war is a myth and that it was invented to create a heroic and mythical past for the Greeks.

3. Greco-Persian wars

The Greeks and Persians had a long history of conflict, and one of the battles of this animosity took place near Troy. In 480 BCE, King Xerxes of Persia invaded Greece with a massive army, crossing the Hellespont near Troy. The Persian army met a resistance force consisting of Greek soldiers led by Sparta’s king, Leonidas, and fought the famous Battle of Thermopylae, which ended in a Persian victory. Later on, the Persian army encountered Greek naval forces led by Athenian general Themistocles near the island of Salamis. The Greeks defeated the Persians in this battle, which played a significant role in the final defeat of Persia.

4. Alexander the Great’s conquest

Troy was also part of Alexander the Great’s conquest of Persia in the fourth century BCE. Alexander’s army crossed the Hellespont and camped near Troy, paying homage to Achilles’ tomb and sacrificing to the gods before proceeding into Persia. He considered Achilles to be his ancestor and a role model for military leadership.

Conclusion

Troy has witnessed several historical events that shaped the classical world, from the Trojan War to Alexander’s conquest and the Greco-Persian wars. Although the authenticity of some of these events has been debated, the ruins of Troy and the archaeological discoveries provide evidence of its importance in ancient times. The city’s location near the Hellespont made it a significant center for trade and commerce, attracting interest from different civilizations and armies throughout history. Today, Troy is an essential tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world to explore its ancient ruins and learn about the legendary wars that took place in the region millennia ago.