Definition

Proper noun 1. An ancient city in Asia Minor: Ilion is the ancient name for the city of Troy, a legendary city located in what is now northwestern Turkey. It is most famous as the central setting of the Trojan War described in Greek epic poetry, particularly Homer's Iliad.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The archaeological site believed to be Ilion is located in modern-day Hisarlık, Turkey.
  • In Homer's epic, the Greeks laid siege to Ilion for ten years.

Advanced Usage

• "Walls of Ilion": A poetic reference to the famed fortifications of the city of Troy.
  • The poem describes the fall of the mighty walls of Ilion.

Variants and Related Words

• Troy (Proper noun): The more common name for the same ancient city. Ilion and Troy are used synonymously.
  • The ruins of Troy (Ilion) are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Synonyms

• Troy
• Ilium (A Latinized variant of the same name, also used in historical and literary contexts)

Noun

1. an ancient city in Asia Minor that was the site of the Trojan War