Commemoration and Pilgrimage in the Ancient World: Troy and the Stratigraphy of Cultural Memory

Troy, a Bronze Age site on the Hellespont, emerged as a focal point for ancient commemoration and pilgrimage, driven by enduring cultural memory of the Trojan War. Over centuries, its landscape became a destination for 'pilgrims' seeking to engage with the mythic narratives of heroes like Helen and Achilles. The study reveals how shared memories, though likely distorted, shaped Troy's significance as both an archaeological site and a symbolic landmark in ancient Greek culture. By analyzing stratigraphic layers of cultural memory—linking Homer's Iliad to physical and emotional experiences of the Trojan landscape—the research demonstrates the interplay between legend, geography, and collective identity.

MINCHIN, E. (2012). Commemoration and Pilgrimage in the Ancient World: Troy and the Stratigraphy of Cultural Memory. Greece and Rome, 59(1), 76–89. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0017383511000258