ILIUM (city in Troad)
Alternative name for the city of Troy
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Troad
- Where
- 39.96° N, 26.24° E
The city was surrounded by a beautiful ring of towers. Euripides, Andromache 1009-1018 The city is described as being built by a god. Quintus 2 ¶17 Ilium is located near the island of Tenedos and Alexandreia Troas. Strabo 13.1.2
Described in the sources
Ilium was located near the glens of the mountain Ida, which extends above the area containing the city. Euripides, The Trojan Women 1060-1070 +1 The sea once surrounded the city of Ilium. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.87 ¶1 The tomb of Ilus is located near the city. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 16.88 ¶1 The city is situated facing the Hellespont. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 16.88 ¶1 The territory of Ilium is home to the Aeolians. Herodotus 5.122.2 Ganymede is identified as a youth from this city. Ovid Met. 10.143-161 (2) The city included the holy area known as Pergamos. Euripides, The Trojan Women 1060-1070 The river Xanthus is located near the city of Ilium. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 2.106 ¶6 Trees grow over the tomb of Protesilaus near the city. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 16.88 ¶1 Helen was driven by divine frenzy to sail to this city. Euripides, Orestes 71-109
Stories and history
The city was captured and taken by force. Euripides, Electra 167-189 The city was captured during the Trojan war. Pausanias 2.17.3 Zeus delivered the city into the hands of Achaea. Euripides, The Trojan Women 1060-1070 The city was abandoned to wretchedness by the gods. Euripides, Andromache 1009-1018 Alcmaeon refused to join the expedition against Troy. Strabo 10.2.25 Menestheus died during the expedition to this location. Plutarch, Theseus 35.5 Menelaus captured the city after the destruction of Troy. Pausanias 3.22.2 The enemy exulted through the streets of the burning city. Quintus 13 ¶25 Stratonicus remarked that the city always experiences troubles. Athenaeus 8.43 Trees near the city wither when they grow tall enough to see it. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 16.88 ¶1