Turkish documentary to retrace sea voyage of Aeneas

Roman Sarcophagus Depicting Scenes from the Aeneid
2nd century CE from the Giustiniana area along the
Via Cassia Rome.  Photographed at the National Museum
in Rome, Italy by Mary Harrsch.

In an effort to promote the parallel study of the post- Trojan period in Turkey and Italy, Turkish archaeologists are planning to produce a documentary film about the sea journey of Aeneas  from Antandrus in Turkey to the Latium region of Italy.

“A ship, which we’ll name ‘Tempest,’ will set off from Altınoluk and follow the route that was taken by Aeneas’ band in 700 B.C. using sails and oars only,” said Excavation Chairman Gürcan Polat in detailing the plans for the journey from the northwestern Turkish province to Italy.

The ship to be used in re-creating Aeneas’ journey will be built in the style of the post-Trojan period, the excavation coordinator said.

“Aeneas’ experiences in every place he passed will be dramatically re-created and documented. In this way, we will have a very significant historical documentary,” said Polat, detailing plans for a documentary film to accompany the seafarers. “I hope it will also contribute to the promotion of both Antandrus and Turkey abroad.” - Turkey Daily News & Economic Review

Homer tells us that Antandrus was among the 11 cities and 12 islands conquered by Achilles during the Trojan War.


Aristotle states that Antandrus was occupied by the Cimmerians about 700 BCE and was referred to as Kimmeris for a hundred years during their occupation.



Antandrus was later colonized by the Greeks on the north side of the Adramyttian Gulf in the Troad region of Anatolia, near the modern village of Avcilar in Turkey in the 5th century BCE but scholars disagree on the founders.

"Strabo, quoting the poet Alcaeus, mentions the Leleges (Geography, 13.1.51), Herodotus believed the first settlers were Pelasgians (Histories, 7.42), and Thucydides mentions the Aeolians (History of the Peloponnesian War, 8.108)." - Livius.org

After participating in the Ionian Revolt, Antandrus later joined the Delian League.

During the Peloponnesian War, exiles from Lesbos captured the city, used it as base to recapture Mytilene, but were expelled by the Athenians, who garrisoned the place (Diodorus, World History, 12.72.2). - Livius.org

During the Corinthian War, it was used as a strategic naval base. 

The economy of Antandrus was based on the sale of timber from Ida Mountains.