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A conference titled “Troy: City of Kings and Heroes” brought together scholars and guests in Rome, highlighting the enduring historical and cultural significance of the Ancient City of Troy. The event took place at the Yunus Emre Institute (YEE) Rome Turkish Cultural Center, and drew strong interest from attendees.
The conference was hosted by the Yunus Emre Institute’s cultural center in Rome, where Director Beyza Kutlay welcomed Italian archaeologist Prof. Stefano De Martino. Known for his work on Middle Eastern and Anatolian archaeology, De Martino was invited to share insights into Troy’s layered past.
Kutlay expressed satisfaction in hosting a scholar of De Martino’s background, underlining the cultural exchange between Italy and Türkiye through such academic events.
In his lecture, De Martino drew on archaeological evidence to move beyond the legendary image of Troy as described in the Iliad. While the epic portrays a heroic and mythical city, he emphasized that Troy existed as a real settlement for around 3,500 years.
He explained that the site, located in present-day Canakkale in northwestern Türkiye, was not merely symbolic but played an active role in the political and economic dynamics of Anatolia and the Aegean region over centuries.
The talk also touched on how Troy resonated in later historical narratives. De Martino noted that Mehmed II, after conquering Istanbul in 1453, visited the ruins in 1462 and reportedly linked his victory to avenging the Trojans.
Similarly, he referred to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who is known to have visited the region in 1913 and echoed comparable sentiments following the Gallipoli campaign, reflecting how Troy’s legacy has been reinterpreted across time.
Alongside the conference, cultural diplomacy efforts were highlighted by Zeynep Selvi, cultural and promotion counselor at Türkiye’s Embassy in Rome. She announced that an exhibition on Troy will open on June 11 at the iconic Colosseum, inviting attendees to continue engaging with the subject in a broader public setting.
The conference concluded with strong participation, as guests followed the discussions with notable interest.
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