Troy (Troja)

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Troy is one of the most famous sites in Turkey. It is by far not as spectacular as for instance Ephesus or Aphrodisias. But because of Homer's Iliad, most people have heard of Troy. Archaeological Site of Troy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Troy is very tricky to interpret. It is a series of at least nine cities, one on top of the other, dating back to 3000 BCE. The first people lived here in the Bronze Age. The cities called Troy I to Troy V (3000 BCE - 1700 BCE) had a similar culture. Troy VI had a different population. They were Indo-Europeans, related to Mycenaeans. They defended the Dardanelles, and therefore held the key to a prosperous trade with Greece.

Archaeologists still argue whether Troy VI or Troy VII was the Troy of King Priam that engaged in the Trojan War. Most believe that it was Troy VI, arguing that the earthquake that brought down the walls in 1250 BCE hastened the Achaean victory.

Troy VII lasted from 1250 BCE to 1000 BCE. The Achaeans may have burned the city in 1240 BCE. Invading Balkan people moved in around 1190 BCE, and Troy was not important for four centuries.

Troy was revived as a Greek city (Troy VIII, 700 BCE - 85 BCE), then a Roman city (Novum Ilium, Troy IX, 85 BCE - 500 CE). After that Troy did not amount to much, it disappeared after the 15^th century.

All pictures are © Dr. Günther Eichhorn, unless otherwise noted.