How might Troy’s location have affected trade between Europe and Asia?

Ancient Troy occupied a highly strategic position that allowed it to influence trade between Europe and Asia. Located at the southern entrance to the Dardanelles, the city commanded a vital maritime link between the Aegean Sea and the Black Sea.12

In addition to its maritime control, Troy sat astride a crucial land route that ran north along the Anatolian coast and crossed the narrowest point of the Dardanelles into Europe. By controlling these two major lines of communication, the city was theoretically positioned to exact tolls or fees from trading vessels and travelers passing through the region. While the exact extent of this economic control remains a subject of historical study, the city's location made it a significant gateway for commerce and movement between the two continents.21