Troy Ancient City is an important settlement that facilitated cultural and commercial interactions between Anatolia, the Aegean, and the Balkans. Thanks to its strategic location near the Dardanelles, it has attracted the attention of many civilizations throughout history and has hosted settlements for a long time. Archaeologically very rich, the city exhibits a gradual development process with architectural layers from different periods.
The ancient city has also gained importance in literature and the arts through the legend of the Trojan War mentioned in Homer's epic, the Iliad. Today, Troy houses a vast cultural heritage that spans from prehistoric times to the Byzantine period, as evidenced by its walls, temples, public buildings, and various archaeological finds uncovered during excavations. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998, this ancient city continues to be a site of discovery for the archaeological community and visitors alike.
Troy Ancient City (Photograph: Çanakkale İl Kültür ve Turizm Müdürlüğü)
Etymology
The name Troy is derived from the ancient terms Troia or Ilion (Ilios). The name Troia is attributed to the mythological character Tros, who is believed to be the founder of the city. Tros is the grandson of Dardanus, and his people came to be known as Trojans. Another commonly used name, Ilion, is given in reference to Tros’ son, Ilos, and this name is frequently mentioned in Homer's epic, the Iliad.
Although there are various views regarding the origin of the word, some linguists suggest that the name of Troy may be related to the Luwian or Hittite languages. In Hittite sources, the name Wilusa is associated with Troy, and it is thought to be connected to the name Ilion. Additionally, the name Taruiša mentioned in Hittite texts is also proposed to be related to Troy. These etymological connections indicate that Troy is associated not only with mythological narratives but also with historical documents.
History and Settlement Layers of Troy
The earliest settlement of Troy began around 3000 BCE during the Early Bronze Age. This period, known as Troy I, was limited to a small settlement area. The city was surrounded by stone-based walls and consisted of wooden and adobe structures. During this period, agriculture, animal husbandry, and pottery production developed, and it is understood that the social structure was that of a simple village.
During the Troy II and III periods (2500–2100 BCE), the city expanded, the walls were strengthened, and trade activities increased. Monumental defensive walls were built around the city, and large courtyards and megaron-type structures emerged. This period was an era of economic growth accompanied by the development of metalworking. However, at the end of Troy III, a great fire disaster occurred and the city was damaged.
In the Troy IV and V periods, the city was rebuilt in terms of architecture, transitioning to a more organized urban planning. During this time, cultural relations with Anatolia increased, and trade was conducted with the Hittites and other neighboring civilizations. The use of adobe walls became more widespread in the structures, and developments in pottery and agricultural production took place.
Troy VI and VII represent the periods when the city was at its strongest. In the Troy VI phase, between 1700 and 1250 BCE, the city was surrounded by large walls, and monumental entrance gates, towers, and stone-paved roads were constructed. The planned expansion of the city indicates that it had a strong administrative structure.
In Troy VII (1250–1100 BCE), a great destruction occurred. This destruction is thought to be associated with the Trojan War described in Homer's epic, the Iliad. Excavations show that during this period the city was attacked and bears traces of fire. Although the city was rebuilt after the war, it lost its former splendor and began to shrink.
From around 1100 BCE onward, the city lost much of its importance. Around 700 BCE, the Troy VIII phase began, and Greek colonists started settling in the region. During this period, Troy came under the influence of ancient Greek culture, new temples, sacred sites, and public buildings were constructed. The city began to be called Ilion, and it particularly integrated with Hellenistic culture during the time of Alexander the Great.
In 85 BCE, Troy came under the control of the Roman Empire. During the Roman period, under the patronage of Augustus, the city was rebuilt and large public buildings were constructed. Roman Troy became a major religious and cultural center, with structures such as an agora, theatre, odeon, and bathhouses rising in the city. This period, referred to as Troy IX, is considered the city’s most magnificent second phase.
By the 500s CE, with the weakening of the Roman Empire, Troy began to lose its former importance. As Roman influence waned, the city was gradually abandoned and transformed into a small settlement.
During the Byzantine period, Troy continued to exist as a small town. From the 12th century CE onward, in the phase referred to as Troy X, political and commercial activities in the region decreased, and the city was largely abandoned. Throughout the Middle Ages, various travelers and historians showed interest in the region, but the city never regained its former splendor.
Troy Settlement Layers (Photograph: Türkiye Kültür Portalı)
Troy has been a crossroads of different cultures throughout history, beyond its status as a mythological city. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, Troy today holds great importance both as a tourist and an archaeological site. Thanks to excavation works and archaeological findings, the historical reality of Troy has been revealed, making the region an important center that illuminates world history.
Excavation Works
Troy Ancient City was first excavated in 1870 by the German merchant and amateur archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, with the aim of proving the existence of Troy mentioned in Homer's Iliad. However, Schliemann adopted an approach far removed from scientific excavation methods; in order to reach the Troy II layer, he destroyed the upper layers, causing damage to many archaeological finds. During the excavations, he illegally smuggled gold and valuable objects abroad, which he referred to as the "Priam's Treasure."
Following Schliemann, excavations led by Wilhelm Dörpfeld in 1893–1894 examined the different layers of the city in a more systematic manner. Dörpfeld revealed that the Troy VI layer was a large and developed city and suggested that this period might be connected with the war described by Homer. Excavations conducted under the leadership of Carl W. Blegen between 1932 and 1938 revealed that Troy VII bears traces of fire and destruction, and that this layer may correspond with the war depicted in the Iliad. Blegen carried out the excavation works in a more disciplined manner and examined Troy’s historical development in detail.
After an interval of approximately 50 years, new excavation works were initiated in 1988 under the direction of Manfred O. Korfmann. Using modern archaeological techniques, Korfmann and his team investigated not only the center of the city but also the surrounding settlement areas. During these studies, it was understood that Troy was not only a citadel but was surrounded by an extensive lower city and functioned as an important port city in terms of trade. Additionally, during the excavations, findings were obtained that proved the identification of Troy with the name Wilusa mentioned in Hittite texts.
Today, Troy excavations continue under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Rüstem Aslan from Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University. Supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, these works contribute to a better understanding of the city's history. Troy has become one of the important archaeological sites that proves it is not only part of a mythological narrative but also a piece of historical reality.
Findings
Archaeological excavations at Troy Ancient City have uncovered important findings that shed light on nearly 5,000 years of continuous settlement history. These findings demonstrate that Troy is not merely a mythological narrative but also played a significant role in trade and cultural interactions between Anatolia, the Aegean, and the Balkans. The artifacts obtained from different layers help us understand the socio-economic structure, architecture, and daily life of the city during various periods.
Architecture and Urban Structures
In the early period, the Troy I layer features stone-based adobe structures, while in the Troy II and III periods, large courtyards and megaron-type buildings come to the forefront. In the more advanced periods, specifically in the Troy VI and VII layers, monumental defensive walls built on stone foundations, large entrance gates, towers, stone-paved streets, drainage systems, and fortification structures are notable; particularly, the traces of fire and destruction observed in Troy VII evoke memories of ancient sieges. In the Roman period, the Troy IX layer contains structures such as the agora, theatre, odeon, and bathhouses, revealing that the city developed as a cultural and religious center.
Troy Theatre (Photograph: Çanakkale İl Kültür ve Turizm Müdürlüğü)
Metalworking and Weapons
Numerous tools and weapons made of bronze, copper, and iron have been discovered during the Troy excavations. Early Bronze Age daggers, arrowheads, and spearheads indicate that the city placed significant importance on military defense. In the Troy VI and VII periods, the variety of weaponry increased, with bronze and copper-alloy swords, pieces of armor, and helmets being uncovered. The similarity of the weapons from this period to Mycenaean styles suggests that there were military and cultural interactions with the Aegean world.
Jewelry and Valuable Objects
Many decorative items and jewelry made of gold, silver, and bronze have been found in the excavations. One of the most famous findings is the collection of valuable objects, known as Priam’s Treasure, discovered by Heinrich Schliemann in 1873. This treasure includes golden crowns, earrings, bracelets, silver vessels, and intricately decorated stone objects. However, these artifacts were illicitly smuggled abroad by Schliemann and are today mostly exhibited in museums in Berlin, Moscow, and other European cities.
Among the Roman-period finds are mosaic-adorned rings, belt buckles, and metal brooches. These items indicate that Troy was not only a military and commercial center but also a city that had developed culturally and artistically.
Sculpture and Artistic Works
The sculptures and reliefs uncovered at Troy provide significant information about the city’s artistic sensibilities. Excavations from the Archaic and Classical periods have revealed marble statues and reliefs depicting gods and mythological scenes. In the Roman period, particularly within temple ruins, statues dedicated to Athena and altars have been found. This suggests that Troy gained importance as a religious center during the Roman era.
Ceramics and Pottery
In the early periods, simple handmade pottery was discovered, while in later periods (Troy II–III) more advanced fired clay vessels emerged. In Troy VI and VII, artifacts resembling Mycenaean and Anatolian ceramics were found; in the Roman period, painted and relief-adorned ceramics for everyday use and imported luxury pottery were discovered.
Pottery Found in Troy Çanakkale İl Kültür ve Turizm Müdürlüğü)
Inscriptions and Tablets
The name Wilusa, associated with Troy in Hittite sources, has been confirmed by some of the seals and inscriptions discovered during the excavations. These findings provide evidence of diplomatic relations between the Hittites and Troy. Latin inscriptions from the Roman period demonstrate that the city maintained its importance as a cultural center during that era. Among the inscriptions found in the Troy IX layer are tablets that recount the donations made by Augustus and texts that include the names of the era’s leading figures.
Trade and Economic-Related Finds
The imported materials uncovered during the excavations indicate that Troy had an extensive trade network. Ceramics from the Aegean, Anatolia, and the Eastern Mediterranean, seals and valuable stones brought from Egypt and Mesopotamia, show that the city functioned as an international trade center. Particularly in the Troy VI and VII periods, it is evident that maritime trade flourished and that the region functioned as a strategically important port city. The trade network extended from the Black Sea to the Aegean and the Mediterranean, and the exchange of agricultural products, metalworking, and ceramics constituted the economic dynamics of the period.
Trojan Horse
During the archaeological excavations at Troy Ancient City, no remains of an actual Trojan Horse or its associated artifacts have been found. The story of the Trojan Horse, as mentioned in ancient texts, is largely based on mythological narratives. Excavations to date have not yielded any tangible evidence that confirms this legend. However, the traces of fire, destruction, and warfare observed in the Troy VII layer correspond with ancient accounts of siege and the city’s fall.
There are different theories among historians and archaeologists as to whether the Trojan Horse was, in reality, a giant wooden structure or a metaphor symbolizing a war tactic. Some researchers suggest that the horse might have actually been a siege engine, a type of battering ram, or a symbolic representation of a naval attack by the Greeks. Nonetheless, no direct remains of a Trojan Horse have been found at Troy Ancient City.
Today, visitors to Troy Ancient City encounter a wooden model of the Trojan Horse as a visual representation. This structure has been placed at the entrance of the excavation site to allow visitors to experience the atmosphere of the legend. Additionally, the large Trojan Horse model used in the 2004 film "Troy" was brought to the city center of Çanakkale after filming and is exhibited. Today, this model, located along the promenade in Çanakkale, has become a popular symbol that attracts the interest of tourists coming to the region.
Trojan Horse (Photograph: Çanakkale İl Kültür ve Turizm Müdürlüğü)
