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The Phoenicians: Masters of the Mediterranean

Cody Blair

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The Phoenicians were a seafaring people who played a major role in the development of the Mediterranean region. They were skilled traders, shipbuilders, and explorers, and their influence can still be seen today in the languages, cultures, and economies of many Mediterranean countries.

Phoenicians and the Making of the Mediterranean

by Carolina López-Ruiz

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Language	:	English
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The Phoenicians originated in the Levant, a region that includes present-day Lebanon, Syria, Israel, and Palestine. They began to build ships and sail the Mediterranean around 3000 BC, and by the 12th century BC they had established a network of trading posts and colonies throughout the region.

The Phoenicians were primarily merchants, and they traded a wide variety of goods, including wine, olive oil, glass, pottery, and textiles. They also exported slaves, who were often captured in their raids on coastal settlements.

In addition to their trading activities, the Phoenicians were also skilled shipbuilders and explorers. They developed the bireme, a type of galley with two banks of oars, which was faster and more maneuverable than the ships of their rivals. They also explored the Atlantic Ocean, and they may have even reached the Americas.

The Phoenicians founded many cities throughout the Mediterranean, including Carthage in North Africa, Cadiz in Spain, and Marseille in France. They also established colonies in Malta, Cyprus, Crete, Greece, and Italy.

The Phoenician Empire reached its height in the 6th century BC, but it began to decline in the 5th century BC with the rise of the Persian Empire. The Persians conquered Phoenicia in 539 BC, and the Phoenicians became a subject people.

Despite their conquest by the Persians, the Phoenicians continued to play an important role in the Mediterranean region. They remained skilled traders and shipbuilders, and they continued to found new colonies and expand their trade network.

The Phoenicians left a lasting legacy on the Mediterranean world. Their language, culture, and technology influenced the development of many Mediterranean civilizations, and their trading network helped to connect the peoples of the region.

Phoenician Art and Architecture

The Phoenicians were skilled craftsmen, and they produced a wide variety of art and architecture. Their most famous works include:

The Temple of Melqart at Tyre, one of the largest and most impressive temples in the ancient world.
The Royal Tombs of Sidon, a series of underground tombs that were decorated with elaborate reliefs and sculptures.
The Phoenician alphabet, which was the first alphabet to be widely used in the Mediterranean region.