Images of Antiquity: Assos, Alexander Troas & Troy, Pt. 6

In this set of pictures, we will be looking at a few ancient sites in Turkey: Assos, Alexander Troas and Troy. If you copy or download the pictures, please do not manipulate or change them in any form from their current state. Otherwise, feel free to use them. Enjoy.

The first photo is of the waterfront in the city of Assos. Assos is located in Northwestern Turkey and is not far from the other two sites mentioned here (Alexander Troas & Troy). Assos is mentioned twice in the New Testament, both times in conjunction with Paul's missionary journeys in Acts 20 (verses 13-4). The text says, "We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene."

When we arrived at Assos it was late at night and honestly, I have never seen that many stars at once, it was incredible. In the morning, as we were eating breakfast we saw dolphins (just a couple of hundred feet away) jumping out of the water. That same morning, we visited other parts of the small town. We went to an ancient mosque, toured an old fortress, walked through the temple of Apollo and saw a number of goats and sheep. (*Note: Photo #7 says temple of Zeus but is actally the temple of Apollo.) Actually, in picture #2 you can see the goatherder; this reminded me of Jesus' parable about separating the sheep from the goats. In photo #3 you can see some sheep. In Turkey, sheep were everywhere. Though I had seen sheep before, there was just something about seeing them in the Mediterranean that allowed the Bible stories to come a little bit more to life.

In photo #4 you see a picture of some arches at Alexander Troas. For some reason, our tour guide did not show up and take us through this site. Needless to say, we were only there for about 10 minutes. Alexander Troas was set up, of course, in honor of Alexander the Great. This location is mentioned 6 times in the New Testament, again, always in reference to Paul and his trips (see: Acts 16.8, 11; 20.5, 6; 2 Cor. 2.12; and 2 Tim. 4.13).

Pictures numbered 5, 6 and 8 are photos of anicent Troy. Many of you probably know this place from the recent movie or from reading the works of Homer (who was writing, supposedly, during the time of Abraham). Homer wasn't lying when he referred to this place as "wind swept Troy." Indeed, the entire time we were there it was nothing but wind--blistering wind! In photo #5 you can see the alleged "levels of Troy." Scholars and archeologists have uncovered many levels of ground which have led them to believe that Troy's development occurred in many stages. In photo #6 you can see ramps that were used to haul goods up and into the city. Finally, in photo #8 you see the wooden war horse that has become the symbol of Troy. The war horse was used to frighten and intimidate opponents during battles (as well as for self-protetction). This remake of the wooden horse is actually in a city just outside of Troy (the one at the site was being demolished when I visited).

Well, that does it for photos of Turkey, in Pt. 7 of the "Images of Antiquity" series, we will cross over into Greece with our first stop being at ancient Philippi.