The ancient city of Troy has captivated the world's imagination for millennia. Ever since the epic tales of the Trojan War described by Homer in the Iliad and the Odyssey, scholars and enthusiasts alike have been searching for the historical truth behind the myth. The recent discovery of statues of Roman emperors at Hissarlik Hill has stirred renewed interest and debate regarding the site's connection to the legendary city of Troy. This article examines the evidence and arguments, considering whether these findings truly prove that Hissarlik Hill is the lost city of Troy.
The Discovery
Aerial view of Hisarlik hill.
Archaeologists working at Hissarlik Hill, located in modern-day Turkey, have uncovered a series of statues depicting various Roman emperors. These statues, believed to be offerings to the city, provide a new perspective on the site's potential as the location of the fabled city of Troy. The statues, which date back to the Roman era, showcase a close connection between the inhabitants of Hissarlik Hill and the Roman Empire.
The Connection
The Roman Empire had a strong interest in the legends surrounding the city of Troy. The Romans believed themselves to be descendants of the Trojan hero Aeneas, as chronicled in Virgil's epic poem, the Aeneid. This connection to the Trojans provided the Romans with a sense of historical legitimacy and a basis for their imperial ambitions. Thus, the presence of statues honoring Roman emperors at Hissarlik Hill could be seen as evidence of the site's importance in the eyes of the Romans.
Proponents of the Hissarlik-Troy Connection
Advocates for Hissarlik Hill as the location of the ancient city of Troy argue that the statues represent a symbolic connection between the Roman Empire and the legendary city. They suggest that the Romans made these offerings to honor their Trojan ancestors, paying homage to the site they believed to be the true location of Troy. Additionally, they highlight the extensive archaeological work that has taken place at Hissarlik Hill, which has revealed a complex history of settlements, destruction, and rebuilding that appears to align with the timeline of the Trojan War.
Emperors and Ilium: The Roman Dedication to the Ancient City of Troy
Inscriptions and other written records from the Roman period provide evidence of dedications made by Roman emperors to the city of Ilium, which is another name for ancient Troy. One such example is an inscription found in the Temple of Augustus, located in the city of Ancyra (modern-day Ankara, Turkey). This inscription, known as the Res Gestae Divi Augusti (The Deeds of the Divine Augustus), is a record of the accomplishments and acts of Augustus Caesar, the first Roman Emperor, who ruled from 27 BC to 14 AD.
A large replica of a monumental Roman inscription is located on the side of the Museum of the Ara Pacis, Rome, Italy, photo by G.dallorto.
In the Res Gestae, Augustus mentions his restoration and rebuilding efforts in various cities across the Roman Empire, including Ilium (Wilusa>Ilion>Troy). He claims to have restored the city due to its historical significance and the legendary connection with Rome's founder, Aeneas, who was believed to be a Trojan prince. The dedication and restoration efforts of Augustus towards Ilium demonstrate the importance of the city to the Romans, who considered themselves descendants of the Trojans through Aeneas.
Roman Emperor Augustus (63 BC - 14 AD), born Gaius Octavius, was the founder of the Roman Empire and its first Emperor. One of the key strategies he used to secure his position and gain public support was by propagating his ancestry and connection to the prestigious and legendary Julii family, as well as his divine lineage to Aeneas, the mythological hero who was the son of the goddess Venus, and Ascanius (also known as Iulus), the son of Aeneas.
Augustus was the grand-nephew and adopted son of Julius Caesar. The Julii family claimed descent from Iulus, who was said to be the son of Aeneas, a Trojan hero and the legendary founder of the Roman people. Aeneas was believed to have escaped from the burning city of Troy and embarked on a long journey to Italy, where his descendants would eventually found Rome. By emphasizing his link to the Julii family and thus to Aeneas, Augustus aimed to portray himself as the rightful heir to the Roman Republic and the one chosen by the gods to restore peace and prosperity.
To spread this message and legitimize his rule, Augustus commissioned numerous works of art, literature, and monuments that celebrated his ancestry and divine connections. He employed various forms of propaganda, such as coins, statues, and public buildings, which depicted his association with the gods and his legendary ancestors. These artistic representations often portrayed Augustus alongside Julius Caesar, Aeneas, or Venus, creating a direct link between him and the illustrious past.
The statue of Roman Emperor Hadrian found in the Odeon of Troy (Now in the Troy Museum) is a significant archaeological discovery that also highlights the connection between the ancient city of Troy and the Roman Empire. The statue, believed to be made from marble, was discovered in the remains of the Odeon, a small theater-like structure used for musical performances and poetry recitations, located in the ancient city of Troy, in modern-day Turkey.
Hadrian was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 117 to 138 AD, and he was known for his extensive travels throughout the Roman Empire, as well as his patronage of the arts and architecture. The discovery of his statue in Troy suggests that he visited the city or had a particular interest in it. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of Troy as a cultural and historical site during the Roman period.
The statue, which is likely a bust or a full-body sculpture, would have been an important symbol of Roman authority and presence in the region. It would have served to remind the local population of the power and reach of the Roman Empire, as well as the patronage of the Emperor. The discovery of the statue also sheds light on the artistic styles and techniques employed by sculptors during the Roman period, providing valuable insight into the cultural and historical context of the time.
Museum of Troy, © Emre Dörter
Skeptics and Alternative Interpretations
However, skeptics of the Hissarlik-Troy connection argue that the presence of the Roman statues does not definitively prove that the site is the ancient city of Troy. They contend that the Roman Empire was known for its widespread influence and penchant for adopting local cultures and histories. As a result, it is plausible that the Romans could have simply integrated the local legends and history of Hissarlik Hill into their own narrative, without the site actually being the historical city of Troy.
Furthermore, other potential sites have been proposed as the true location of Troy, with no consensus reached among scholars. Hissarlik Hill is just one of several contenders, and the discovery of the Roman statues does not definitively settle the debate.
While the discovery of statues of Roman emperors at Hissarlik Hill provides a fascinating new piece of evidence in the ongoing search for the historical city of Troy, it is not enough to definitively prove the site's identity. The connection between the Roman Empire and the legends of Troy complicates the interpretation of these findings, leaving room for alternative explanations. As a result, the debate over the true location of the ancient city of Troy will likely continue, with Hissarlik Hill remaining a significant contender in this captivating historical mystery.
