Turkey Displays Troy Treasures in Time for Film
The Istanbul Archaeology Museum threw open the doors Friday to its ancient Troy exhibition, shut for years due to lack of funds, just in time for the world premiere of the mega-budget film "Troy" starring Brad Pitt.
Ancient Troy is located in the northwest of modern-day Turkey, not far south of Istanbul.
The museum hall, which contains ancient Greek relics including a statue of the head of Zeus and Trojan jewelry, was closed in 1995 because there were not enough guards, director Halil Ozek told Reuters.
From National GeographicIs Troy True? The Evidence Behind Movie Myth
Did the city of Troy really exist? Is the Trojan War myth or military reality? And what about that giant horse?
As the blockbuster Brad Pitt film Troy storms the cinemas, archaeologists and historians are shedding light on the ancient city and epic that inspired the movie.
In the Greek poem The Iliad, the basis for Troy, Prince Paris of Troy steals the gorgeous Helen, of Greece, from her husband, King Menelaus. The act brings the two nations to war, and eventually Greeks led by the warrior Achilles lay siege to Troy.
And, in the interest of fairness, we shall now gird our collective loins and provide some further artists' renderings of what the various Men of Troy may have looked like, for the benefit of any female readers.
Errr, oh, and here's one of Helen, too.
