Ancient City of Troy Ancient City of Troy Troy, a legendary archaeological landmark and a milestone in the field of modern archaeology, stands as a remarkable example of an eastern city situated within the Aegean landscape. Its origins trace back to the early Bronze Age, and over the centuries, it experienced many changes, eventually emerging as a major hub of commerce in the Aegean world. The phases known as Troy II and Troy VI mark key periods in the city's growth and reflect classic features of ancient urban design. The fortified citadel, which housed both palatial structures and administrative buildings, along with the similarly protected lower town in the pre-Hellenistic era, reveals the city's strategic importance. These structures are famously referenced in timeless epics like Homer's Iliad and Virgil's Aeneid. Monumental Hellenistic tombs were built over the graves of notable figures such as Achilles and Ajax, who defended Troy, Hector, who sought to breach enemy lines, and companions of Trojan nobles like Patroclus. In 1350 BC, Troy endured a series of destructive earthquakes, but the resilient city was quickly rebuilt with a more systematic and planned layout. However, around 1250 BC, it suffered yet another catastrophe—a massive blaze accompanied by a violent massacre. This period is believed by some historians to mark the beginning of Troy VII, which ultimately ended with the legendary conflict known as the Trojan War. Subsequent investigations suggest these calamities were driven by intense economic rivalry between Troy and the Mycenaeans, who clashed over the strategic trade routes that linked Europe to the Black Sea through Asia Minor. By 306 BC, Troy—once famed as the capital of a confederation of cities in the Troad—entered a new era of prosperity under Roman rule. Later, it became part of the Byzantine Empire and remained continuously inhabited until the Ottoman Empire gained control of the area in 1402. As legend has it, Troy was established by the lineage of Dardanus, the son of the sea goddess Tethys and the mighty Titan of the Atlantic, Oceanus. His wife, Electra—a daughter of Zeus—was said to be the mother of Dardanus, further tying Troy’s origins to divine ancestry. The site of Troy was first identified and examined as early as 1793. Renowned archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann began exploring the area in 1868, eventually completing his work in 1893 after conducting seven extensive excavation campaigns. In 1873, Schliemann unearthed a cache of gold treasure, which was mistakenly referred to as "King Priam's Treasure," although it actually originated from the layer of Troy II, not from Troy VIIA as once believed. Throughout more than a hundred years of excavation efforts, archaeologists have revealed 23 sections of Troy’s massive fortification walls, 11 entry gates, a stone-paved ramp, and the lower remains of five separate citadel structures. While most of these findings are attributed to Troy II and Troy VI, one notable segment from the earliest known phase, Troy I, can be found near what is marked as South Gate No. 1. The impressive residential complex from Troy II features five long buildings aligned side-by-side, each with its own porch. Among them, one stands out as a significant architectural model, thought to be an early version of the Greek temple style and likely served as a palace. These long rectangular structures are situated at the base of a deeply excavated trench famously known as Schliemann's Trench, named after the 19th-century archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, who unsuccessfully sought to uncover what he believed was "the Citadel of Priam." The remnants of Greek and Roman Troy are mainly represented by the sanctuary complex and two additional public structures. The layout of this complex reflects typical Roman city planning, featuring an odeon (a small concert or lecture hall) and rows of seating constructed from limestone blocks. In 1998, Troy earned recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The surrounding area is also home to numerous other archaeological sites scattered across the landscape. If you have any questions or need more information about the Ancient City of Troy, feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] or simply send us a message on WhatsApp. We’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.