From the palaces of Homeric epic to the ancestral seat of Roman emperors Troy in antiquity was
a place couched in myth. But for nearly four millennia Troy was also a living city inhabited
by real people. Troy today is therefore a site of major archaeological and historical
significance. In the modern world however Troy has become as much a symbol as a site. From
movies to computer viruses from condom branding to reggae records Troy is a word to conjure
with. This book explores the significance of Troy in three areas: the mythic the
archaeological and the cultural and highlights the continuing importance of the site today.
Including a survey of the archaeological remains of Troy as they are currently understood the
volume presents an all-inclusive overview of the site's history from the Troy of Homer to
Classical Antiquity and beyond. The modern day cultural significance of the Trojan War is also
discussed including re-tellings of the stories or representations of the site and myth and
the more abstract use of Troy as a symbol - as a brand for consumer goods and as a metaphor
for contemporary conflicts.
