South Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Trojan Column
| | USC University of Southern California | |
Photographed by J. J. Prats, November 29, 2018
1. The Trojan Column Historical Marker
This section of a column from the legendary Troy, quarried and polished without the aid of iron tools at an unknown date before 1200 B.C., stood in the courtyard of a public building believed to have been a temple of Trojan Apollo. It was presented to the University of Southern California by the Republic of Turkey and dedicated on October 29, 1952.
Hector and Paris saw me at Troy. I suffered the wrath of Agamemnon. And once, as she passed, golden Helen brushed me with her sleeve.
Still dwells the Dardan spirit in the boy;
When minds, like these, in striplings thus ye raise,
Yours in the godlike act, be yours the praise.
Byron.
From a far place and long ago, and broken, I have come at last to another Troy. But still I am, and Troy lives once again.
Erected 1952 by the University of Southern California.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is October 29, 1952.
Location. 34° 1.335′ N, 118° 17.063′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in South Los Angeles. It is on Trousdale Parkway south of West 34th Street, on the right
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Changing Campus (within shouting distance of this marker); Founders Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); An International University (within shouting distance of this marker); Public Service (within shouting distance of this marker); The Ahn Family Residence (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Founding of USC (about 300 feet away); Cesar Estrada Chavez (about 300 feet away); Student Musical Traditions (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.
Also see . . . Friends, Trojans, Alumni, Lend Me Your Ears!. 1994 article by John Pollini in the USC Trojan Family. Excerpt: Thats strange, I said to myself. I knew of no polished granite-like monolithic columns used as Troy during the entire period before or, for that matter, after 1200 B.C., approximate time fixed by tradition for Homers Troy. Equally strange was the claim that the column once stood in the courtyard believed to have been a temple of Troy Apollo. What temple of Apollo at Troy? Since the discovery of Troy in the 19th century, no one has ever claimed to have found the site
Photographed by J. J. Prats, November 29, 2018
2. The Trojan Column
The historical marker is the larger tablet on the base of the pedestal. The other three tablets are transcribed from left to right in italics.
Photographed by J. J. Prats, November 29, 2018
3. The Trojan Column Plaque, Left Side
Photographed by J. J. Prats, November 29, 2018
4. The Trojan Column Plaque, Front
Photographed by J. J. Prats, November 29, 2018
5. The Trojan Column Plaque, Right Side
Photographed by J. J. Prats, November 29, 2018
6. The Trojan Column
Photographed by J. J. Prats, November 29, 2018
7. Amelia Taper Garden, University of Southern California
Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 871 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 21, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
