Troas was the region where Paris of Troy, Alexander the Great, and Saint Paul pursued their quests for love, glory, and faith. Throughout the ages, the cultural legacy of this area has never lost resonance in human memory. The region’s grand harbor city, Alexandria Troas, was designed by a successor of Alexander the Great to assume the prestige of the fallen Troy. Called simply Troas in the New Testament, the city was a major maritime gateway between Asia and Europe. The Troas Project explores the ancient transportation network in this region.
During the initial years of the project, the ancient road network in the Troad and farther east will be surveyed and mapped. To investigate the harbor at Troas and the routes of Paul’s journeys, the Troas Project will construct and sail a replica of a Roman cargo ship. (left) The large Roman bridge (below) remains at Tuzla provide evidence of the extensive road system linking Alexandria Troas with other cities in the region. The apostle Paul probably used this bridge in 57 C.E. on the main route between Troas and Assos.
Although most roads used during the Roman empire have long since been identified, the road network of the Roman era in the Troad remains largely unmapped. In view of the importance of Alexandria Troas as a center for Roman administration and commerce, such sparse knowledge of the ancient road routes in the Troad is remarkable.
