Ilion
/ˈɪl.i.ən/noun
A literary name for ancient Troy, especially in classical and poetic contexts.
Did you know?Ilion comes from the older name of Troy, linked to Ilios, and survives in the epic world of Homer and later classical poetry as a sacred, storied city-name.
Etymological Timeline
Mycenaean Greek
Greek
Wilios
“An early form of the city name, likely referring to Troy”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Ἴλιος (Ílios)
“The city of Troy”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Ἴλιον (Ílion)
“Troy, especially in epic and poetic usage”
Latin
Latin
Ilium
“Troy”
Middle English
English
Ilion
“A poetic name for Troy”
Modern English
English
Ilion
“A literary name for ancient Troy”