How was the Roman town of Troy connected to the legend of Aeneas?

The Roman town of Troy, known as Troy IX, was deeply connected to the legend of Aeneas through the Roman state's desire to establish an illustrious, ancient pedigree.12

As the Roman Empire expanded, its leaders sought to dignify their origins by claiming descent from the Trojan hero, who was traditionally viewed as a survivor of the Trojan War and the founder of the Roman line. This connection was solidified by the Aeneid, an epic poem by Virgil that portrayed Aeneas as the ancestor of the Roman people and the Julius Caesar family.13

Because of this perceived ancestral link, the Roman emperor Augustus and his successors bestowed significant patronage upon Troy IX, funding the construction of fine public buildings to honor the city as the legendary home of their forefather. While the connection between Rome and Troy is considered unhistorical, it remained a central pillar of Roman national identity and mythology.213