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Document Details : Title: Ilion, the Troad, and the Attalids Author(s): KOSMETATOU, Elizabeth Journal: Ancient Society Volume: 31 Date: 2001 Pages: 107-132 DOI: 10.2143/AS.31.0.46 Abstract : At least as early as 480, the ancient world recognized the city of Ilion as the site of the Trojan War, which had been immortalized in Homer’s Iliad, and the entire region of the Troad consequently became famous by association. Ilion was also generally acknowledged to be an important center of the ancient cult of Athena Ilias that was mentioned by Homer and may have been in existence during his time. According to the literary and epigraphical sources, as well as the archaeological record, the city’s regular attempts throughout antiquity to capitalize on its heroic past met with varying success. We hear that it attracted the attention and interest of important, wealthy, and influential personalities like King Xerxes of Persia who reportedly stopped at Ilion on his way to conquer Greece in 480, sacrificed 1,000 cattle to Athena Ilias, offered libations to the Trojan heroes, and was offered a grand tour of the citadel. In 334 Alexander the Great made a pilgrimage to the site where his childhood hero, Achilles, had allegedly fought and died. He found the sanctuary neglected, offered to fund its restoration, but died before the project started. In the next centuries, singling out Ilion as a venerable city worthy of attention became fashionable among the powerful who supported it from the Hellenistic period to the end of antiquity. The sanctuary of Athena Ilias rose to the status of a major precinct and center for Greek culture. Antigonos Monophthalmos may have began to carry out Alexander’s grand plans for Ilion, but it was Lysimachos of Thrace who brought them to fruition and took most of the credit. Funds were raised for a lavish building program which included new fortifications, a temple dedicated to Athena, and a theater seating 8,000 spectators. |
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