The question of “Where Is Troy” has captivated historians and archaeologists for centuries. Was the Trojan War, a cornerstone of Greek mythology, a real historical event? While definitive proof remains elusive, compelling evidence suggests that the legendary city of Troy was not just a myth, and its location can be traced to modern-day Turkey. The most significant clues come not directly from Troy itself, but from the historical records of the Hittite Empire.
Deciphering Hittite Records: Wilusa and the Trojan Link
During the Bronze Age, from roughly 1400 to 1200 B.C., the Hittites held dominion over a vast empire across Anatolia. Archaeological excavations at Hattusa, their capital, have unearthed thousands of clay tablets inscribed with Hittite cuneiform. Among these texts, scholars discovered mentions of a region called Wilusa in western Anatolia. Remarkably, linguistic analysis indicates that “Wilusa” is highly likely the Hittite name for Troy. This connection is strengthened by the phonetic similarity between “Wilusa” and the Greek names for Troy used by Homer: “Ilios” or “Ilion.” The initial “w” sound present in Hittite “Wilusa” had likely been dropped from the Greek language by Homer’s time. Indeed, Homer’s epic poem, the Iliad, derives its very name from “Ilion,” further solidifying this linguistic link.
Adding another layer of intrigue, Hittite texts refer to a king of Wilusa named Alaksandu. This name bears a striking resemblance to “Alexandros,” a name Homer sometimes used when referring to Paris, the Trojan prince. This parallel in royal names further strengthens the argument for Wilusa being the historical Troy.
The Ahhiyawans: Greek Presence in Western Anatolia
Hittite records also mention a group known as the Ahhiyawans, described as originating from across the Aegean Sea and frequently engaging in conflicts with cities along the Anatolian coast. Linguists widely believe that “Ahhiyawans” corresponds to the Greek word “Achaeans,” the term Homer uses to describe the Greeks in the Iliad. The term “Greek” itself was not in use during this period. The mention of the Ahhiyawans in Hittite texts suggests a Greek military presence and influence in western Anatolia during the period traditionally associated with the Trojan War.
Conclusion: Locating Troy in History
While the Hittite documents don’t definitively prove the Trojan War as narrated in mythology, they offer substantial evidence for a real city named Troy, or Wilusa, located in western Anatolia. The convergence of linguistic similarities, parallel royal names, and mentions of Greek involvement in the region strongly suggests that the legends of Troy were rooted in historical events. Therefore, when asking “where is Troy?”, the answer points towards the archaeological site in Hisarlik, Turkey, widely believed to be the location of ancient Wilusa and the legendary city of Troy.
