By Dimosthenis Vasiloudis

The ancient city of Troy, located in what is now modern-day Turkey, has long been shrouded in myth and mystery. At the heart of its history lies the legendary Trojan War, a conflict immortalized in the works of Homer and other ancient poets. In recent years, archaeological excavations have uncovered a network of underground arcades beneath the ancient city. These hidden passageways have provided new insights into the daily lives of the Trojans and the strategies they employed during the Trojan War.

The Discovery of the Underground Arcades

The underground arcades of Troy were first discovered in the early 21st century during extensive excavations led by a team of international archaeologists. These subterranean chambers and passages, carved directly into the natural bedrock, extend for several kilometers beneath the ancient city. The discovery of the underground arcades has added a new dimension to our understanding of the ancient city and its inhabitants.

The Water Cave of Troy/Wilusa

An artificial water cave with underground tunnels of about 160 meters in length (three arms providing water from a subsurface source) was excavated in the southwest of the lower city during the seasons of 1997 through 2001. The sinter deposited in some of the passages carved out of siliceous bedrock has been dated to the third millennium BC.

The gallery system runs through the bedrock to the east, connecting with four shafts at depths up to 17 m below the surface.

A protective wall narrowing the entrance to the galleries marks the smaller extent of the prehistoric water-cave, from which water was distributed to several rock-cut basins. In the Roman period, clay pipes directed the flow into "fishponds" outside the water-cave, and in Byzantine times there was most likely a garden here; water ran through channels lined with stone.

The Trojans had no issues with their water supply during times of peace because their city's position ensured freshwater from multiple rivers and streams. The Scamander and Simois rivers, which both originate in Mount Ida, were the most significant of these rivers. The same-named river gods, according to Homer, backed the Trojans in their conflict with the Greeks.

Religious and Cultural Significance

In addition to their practical applications in warfare, the underground arcades of Troy had religious and cultural significance. Many of the chambers were adorned with intricate frescoes and carvings that depicted scenes from Trojan mythology and the pantheon of gods. Some of these subterranean spaces were likely used for ritualistic purposes, such as ceremonies or offerings to the gods. This sacred aspect of the underground arcades served to bolster the city's morale and unity in times of conflict.

The "subterranean pathway" of the water-loving deity Kaskalkur (KASKAL.KUR in Hittite records), a mysterious local goddess of springs who had been serving Troy for at least a thousand years by the time of Troy VI (second millennium BC), may thus be connected with this water-cave. We have evidence for a second deity, in addition to Appaliuna (Hittite: 𒀀𒀊𒉺𒇷𒌋𒈾𒀸 Āppaliunāš =Apollo? ), standing up for Troy because Kaskalkur was requested to serve as the Trojan witness to a treaty made between the Hittite king Muwatalli II and King Alaksandu of Wilusa in the vicinity of 1280 BC. According to Homer, the cult of Apollo was a critical component of the Trojans' religious beliefs.

The Role of the Underground Arcades in the Trojan War

• Warfare and Defense

The primary purpose of these underground passageways seems to have been for military purposes, as they provided the Trojans with a strategic advantage in the event of an attack. The arcades allowed the inhabitants to move around the city without being detected and launch surprise attacks on the invading Greek forces. Additionally, the subterranean chambers served as a safe haven for civilians and a place to store valuable resources, such as food and weapons, during the long siege.

• Communication and Intelligence Gathering

The underground arcades also facilitated communication between different parts of the city, enabling the Trojans to coordinate their defenses effectively. The passageways were expertly engineered to amplify sound, allowing the inhabitants to transmit messages and gather intelligence on enemy movements. This covert communication network was invaluable in keeping the city's defenses organized and prepared for any potential threats.

The discovery of the underground arcades of ancient Troy has provided a wealth of information about the city's military strategies and cultural practices during the Trojan War. These hidden passageways allowed the Trojans to effectively defend their city, communicate covertly, and maintain their religious and cultural identity during one of the most famous conflicts in ancient history. As archaeological excavations continue to unearth the secrets of Troy, the underground arcades will undoubtedly continue to shed light on the fascinating story of this legendary city and its heroic struggle against the invading Greek forces.