THE PHOENICIANS

DONE BY: ANA PIEDADE, GONÇALO SANTOS 10TH BCT

Phoenicia was an ancient civilization, located in the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea. Nowadays, corresponds to the territories occupied by Syria, Lebanon and Israel.

The Phoenician civilization lasted for six centuries, having been established around 1200 BC and was conquered in the middle of 6th century BC.This civilization was ruled by a monarchy and was organized in city-states.

This civilization was especially known for its dedication to maritimecommerce. Phoenicia’s proximity to the coast was a huge factor which letthis civilization to be the best in their time at that activity. Itsgeographical localization was also a barrier to the agriculture’sdevelopment, as it was predominated by mountainous and arid areas.

Phoenician’s trade routes

The Phoenicians maintained trade relations with the Greeks. They sold glass, wood, slaves and ink for clothes (Tyrian purple). This natural dye was extremely expensive and rare, being used to dye influential individuals' garments in Ancient Greece, but was also used to colour ceramic pieces.

This natural ink came from a gastropode

The wine was transported in amphoras

They also had businesses with the Egyptians, exchanging wine for gold.

Phoenician colonies (yellow) and Greek colonies (red)

Due to both Greek and Phoenician influence in the Mediterranean Sea, the two civilizations ended up dominating, having it divided: the Phoenicians controlled the southern sector and the Greeks the northern sector. As time passed the Phoenicians began to expand their territory, having colonies in North Africa (Carthage) and South Europe (Iberian Peninsula).

The Phoenician people were the first known society to make use of an

alphabet. Even though their alphabet didn’t have any vowel, the

Phoenician phonetic alphabet is the ancestral of all modern alphabets.

The Phoenicians spoke the Phoenician language. Due to their

commercial influence, they spread their alphabet to other territories

and societies.

Distribution of the Phoenician languageduring Phoenicia high point

Inscription wrote in Phoenician

The Phoenician art was influenced by pre-existent art movements from

other civilizations, such as Egypt, Assyria and Greece.

Phoenician coin

Phoenician plate

Phoenician sarcophagus had Egyptian influence

Tophet funerary stele, which has a symbol of Tanit, queen goddess of Carthage

The Phoenician people were polytheists.

Phoenician archaeological dig in the Lisbon Cathedral cloisters

Ruines of a temple, in Byblo.

The Phoenicians invented the bireme, and

they had the best naval fleet from the

ancient history. They also used galleys for

marine trade.

Bireme

Galley model