Troy: The City in Art and Myth

The Trojan war is the central myth of the Greek tradition, and the tale has influenced art and literature down the ages. When was the ancient city of Troy first identified by archaeologists and what do we know about it? Was there really a Trojan War fought over a kidnapped Greek queen? How has the city of Troy been depicted in art and literature ever since? Why does the city and its story continue to cast such a spell in every generation, even so far as inspiring acclaimed theatrical performances by Syrian refugee women in our own times?