Phoenician Civilization – Masters of the Sea

Origins of the Phoenician Civilization

The Phoenicians emerged around 1500 BCE from earlier Canaanite cultures. Rather than forming a single empire, they developed powerful independent city-states connected by trade and shared culture.

Major Phoenician City-States

Phoenician civilization was centered around wealthy coastal cities, including:

• Tyre

• Sidon

• Byblos

• Arwad

Each city was ruled independently but shared language, religion, and commercial interests.

Seafaring and Trade

The Phoenicians were the greatest sailors of the ancient world. They established trade routes and colonies across the Mediterranean, including Carthage in North Africa.

They traded:

• purple dye (Tyrian purple)

• glassware

• timber (cedar wood)

• metal goods

The Phoenician Alphabet

One of the Phoenicians’ greatest achievements was the creation of the Phoenician alphabet, a simple writing system that became the foundation of:

• Greek alphabet

• Latin alphabet

• modern European scripts

This invention transformed communication forever.

Government and Society

Phoenician city-states were ruled by kings or councils of merchants. Society was strongly connected to commerce, craftsmanship, and maritime activity.

Religion and Beliefs

Phoenicians practiced polytheism, worshiping gods such as:

• Baal – god of storms

• Astarte – goddess of fertility

• Melqart – protector of Tyre

Religion was closely linked to trade and city life.

Art and Craftsmanship

Phoenician artisans were highly skilled, producing:

• fine glass

• metalwork

• jewelry

• carved ivory

Their art blended influences from Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece.

Warfare and Decline

Although strong at sea, Phoenician cities lacked a unified army. Over time, they were conquered by larger empires, including:

• Assyrians

• Babylonians

• Persians

Carthage later carried on Phoenician traditions until its destruction by Rome.

Legacy of the Phoenicians

The Phoenicians left a powerful legacy through:

• global trade networks

• maritime exploration

• the alphabet

• cultural exchange across civilizations

They connected the ancient world like no other people.