ThinkQuest - Troy: Myth and Reality

The different layers of the old Troy (today Hisarlik)

According to the facts known today the hill Hisarlik consists of 10 layers, and each of these layers carried a different epoch of Troy.

Layer Year Description

Troy I 2920 - 2400 B.C. The first Troy in the Bronze Age was the smallest one and consisted merely of a village and a firm wall.

Troy II 2600 - 2400 B.C. The town Troy II was already a royal residence and enclosed an area of about 3600 square miles. The buildings were splendid and most of the valuable achaeological findings have their origin in this phase of Troy.

Troy III 2390 - 2200 B.C. Nearly no remnants of this phase of Troy III are left, but it was bigger than Troy II.

Troy IV 2200 - 2000 B.C. Not much is known about Troy IV (as about Troy III). It is clear, though, that it must have exceeded the size of Troy III.

Troy V 2000 - 1870 B.C. Again nothing of importance except for the gradual growth of the town is known.

Troy VI 1700 - 1250 B.C. Troy VI is the most important town of the different layers. It is the only one that can have been the home of the legendary "Iliad", and it was the best developed town. It was destroyed, but it is not yet clear if it was destroyed through a war or perhaps a fire.

Troy VII 1250 - 1020 B.C. Troy VI was rebuilt after ist destruction, but it didn't regain its former splendour.

Troy VIII (Ilion) 800 - 85 B.C. Troy VIII was founded by Greek settlers and received the name "Ilion".

Troy IX (Ilium) 85 B.C. - 500 A.D. After Troy VIII (Ilion) had been conquered by the Romans it became a location for worship of Gods and heroes.

Hisarlik Today Hisarlik doesn't show real remnants of ancient Troy any more, which is the reason why Hisarlik was examined only in the 19th century by Frank Calvert. The ruins of the town today consist only of broken parts of walls below the ground most of which have been excavated in the meantime.

(Sunset in ancient Troy)

Layer	Year	Description
Troy I	2920 - 2400 B.C.	The first Troy in the Bronze Age was the smallest one and consisted merely of a village and a firm wall.
Troy II	2600 - 2400 B.C.	The town Troy II was already a royal residence and enclosed an area of about 3600 square miles. The buildings were splendid and most of the valuable achaeological findings have their origin in this phase of Troy.
Troy III	2390 - 2200 B.C.	Nearly no remnants of this phase of Troy III are left, but it was bigger than Troy II.
Troy IV	2200 - 2000 B.C.	Not much is known about Troy IV (as about Troy III). It is clear, though, that it must have exceeded the size of Troy III.
Troy V	2000 - 1870 B.C.	Again nothing of importance except for the gradual growth of the town is known.
Troy VI	1700 - 1250 B.C.	Troy VI is the most important town of the different layers. It is the only one that can have been the home of the legendary "Iliad", and it was the best developed town. It was destroyed, but it is not yet clear if it was destroyed through a war or perhaps a fire.
Troy VII	1250 - 1020 B.C.	Troy VI was rebuilt after ist destruction, but it didn't regain its former splendour.
Troy VIII (Ilion)	800 - 85 B.C.	Troy VIII was founded by Greek settlers and received the name "Ilion".
Troy IX (Ilium)	85 B.C. - 500 A.D.	After Troy VIII (Ilion) had been conquered by the Romans it became a location for worship of Gods and heroes.
Hisarlik	Today	Hisarlik doesn't show real remnants of ancient Troy any more, which is the reason why Hisarlik was examined only in the 19th century by Frank Calvert. The ruins of the town today consist only of broken parts of walls below the ground most of which have been excavated in the meantime.