“The most famous legacy of Phoenicia is undoubtedly the alphabet but their contribution to the arts, and their role in disseminating the cultures of the ancient world, is equally impressive.” Phoenician culture was heavily influential in the development of classical society; Its extensive trade routes spread not only material goods, but cultural elements that quickly became building blocks of not only the ancient world, but also the modern world as we know it.
Phoenician religion played a similarly important role in the development of both ancient and modern culture. As previously discussed, the Phoenician gods were inspiration for many polytheistic traditions, specifically Greek and Roman gods. “It is also thought that many of the gods of ancient Greece were imported from Phoenicia as there are certain indisputable similarities in some stories concerning the Phoenician gods Baal and Yamm and the Greek deities of Zeus and Poseidon.” However, the Phoenician religion was not solely an inspiration for polytheistic beliefs, but also some Christian beliefs. “It is also notable that the battle between the Christian God and Satan as related in the biblical Book of Revelation seems a much later version of the same conflict, with many of the same details, one finds in the Phoenician myth of Baal and Yamm.” For those that believe religious traditions such as these are in the past, this shows that the Phoenician influence is still relevant today, as Christianity is practiced daily by millions. However, it is important to note Phoenician culture was not solely the source of cultural change, but was also created by the influence of other surrounding cultures.“What remains to be said is that Phoenician faith system evolved and changed as it was influenced by invader who brought along their own deities. Hence, Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek and Roman gods found their way to Phoencian temples.” What this presents is the idea that culture is never exclusive; it cannot stand on its own. One cannot claim a culture to be independent, as its very nature is created by and subject to change and being changed. Through an endless series of juxtapositions, similarities, and the acceptance and rejection of ideas, culture is formed.
The other lasting and arguably the most revered impact Phoenician society made on the world was the alphabet. “Herodotus cites Phoenicia as the birthplace of the alphabet, stating that it was brought to Greece by the Phoenician Kadmus (sometime before the 8th century BCE) and that, prior to that, the Greeks had no alphabet. The Phoenician alphabet is the basis for most western languages written today.” The Phoenician language was a Canaanite language, and although very little is known about it, it can be seen that it was influenced by the Egyptians. “The first signs of the Phoenician alphabet found at Byblos are clearly derived from the Egyptian hieroglyphics, and not from cuneiform. The twenty-two Phoenician letters are simplifications of Egyptian hieroglyphic symbols, which took on a standardized form at the end of the 12th century BC. Like Hebrew and Arabic, Phoenician was written from right to left, and vowels were omitted (which makes deciphering Phoenician even harder).” The alphabet consisted of 22 consonants, but the ancient world expanded on it as they came in contact with it. This language formed by the Phoenicians, and all the other groups that influenced the Phoenicians, spread through the ancient world via trade. “By the 8th century BC, texts written in the Phoenician alphabet whose authors were probably not Phoenician appeared in Cilicia in southern Asia Minor and in northern Syria. Eventually the Greeks, who were in close trading contact with the Levant, adopted the Phoenician alphabet, added vowel sounds, and thus created the Greek alphabet (upon which our modern Latin alphabet is based).” In order to understand the complete and beautiful nature of the impact this language had on the world, one must acknowledge the presence of language in every part of life. Starting with the basics, language enabled communication between people groups, fostering the growth of cultures, setting up the perfect atmosphere for a cultural domino effect. From the foundation of 22 consonants, religion could be practiced in more elaborate ways. Trade could be completed, economics understood on levels deeper than could previously be achieved. With the tool of a simple alphabet, the Greeks brought the world philosophical thought, mathematics, tragedies and comedies. The Phoenicians created arbitrary markings on a page but the influence of these letters created the world as we know it even today. And while some might have considered the Phoenicians to be barbarians, one must never forget their roots.
Phoenician religion played a similarly important role in the development of both ancient and modern culture. As previously discussed, the Phoenician gods were inspiration for many polytheistic traditions, specifically Greek and Roman gods. “It is also thought that many of the gods of ancient Greece were imported from Phoenicia as there are certain indisputable similarities in some stories concerning the Phoenician gods Baal and Yamm and the Greek deities of Zeus and Poseidon.” However, the Phoenician religion was not solely an inspiration for polytheistic beliefs, but also some Christian beliefs. “It is also notable that the battle between the Christian God and Satan as related in the biblical Book of Revelation seems a much later version of the same conflict, with many of the same details, one finds in the Phoenician myth of Baal and Yamm.” For those that believe religious traditions such as these are in the past, this shows that the Phoenician influence is still relevant today, as Christianity is practiced daily by millions. However, it is important to note Phoenician culture was not solely the source of cultural change, but was also created by the influence of other surrounding cultures.“What remains to be said is that Phoenician faith system evolved and changed as it was influenced by invader who brought along their own deities. Hence, Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek and Roman gods found their way to Phoencian temples.” What this presents is the idea that culture is never exclusive; it cannot stand on its own. One cannot claim a culture to be independent, as its very nature is created by and subject to change and being changed. Through an endless series of juxtapositions, similarities, and the acceptance and rejection of ideas, culture is formed.
The other lasting and arguably the most revered impact Phoenician society made on the world was the alphabet. “Herodotus cites Phoenicia as the birthplace of the alphabet, stating that it was brought to Greece by the Phoenician Kadmus (sometime before the 8th century BCE) and that, prior to that, the Greeks had no alphabet. The Phoenician alphabet is the basis for most western languages written today.” The Phoenician language was a Canaanite language, and although very little is known about it, it can be seen that it was influenced by the Egyptians. “The first signs of the Phoenician alphabet found at Byblos are clearly derived from the Egyptian hieroglyphics, and not from cuneiform. The twenty-two Phoenician letters are simplifications of Egyptian hieroglyphic symbols, which took on a standardized form at the end of the 12th century BC. Like Hebrew and Arabic, Phoenician was written from right to left, and vowels were omitted (which makes deciphering Phoenician even harder).” The alphabet consisted of 22 consonants, but the ancient world expanded on it as they came in contact with it. This language formed by the Phoenicians, and all the other groups that influenced the Phoenicians, spread through the ancient world via trade. “By the 8th century BC, texts written in the Phoenician alphabet whose authors were probably not Phoenician appeared in Cilicia in southern Asia Minor and in northern Syria. Eventually the Greeks, who were in close trading contact with the Levant, adopted the Phoenician alphabet, added vowel sounds, and thus created the Greek alphabet (upon which our modern Latin alphabet is based).” In order to understand the complete and beautiful nature of the impact this language had on the world, one must acknowledge the presence of language in every part of life. Starting with the basics, language enabled communication between people groups, fostering the growth of cultures, setting up the perfect atmosphere for a cultural domino effect. From the foundation of 22 consonants, religion could be practiced in more elaborate ways. Trade could be completed, economics understood on levels deeper than could previously be achieved. With the tool of a simple alphabet, the Greeks brought the world philosophical thought, mathematics, tragedies and comedies. The Phoenicians created arbitrary markings on a page but the influence of these letters created the world as we know it even today. And while some might have considered the Phoenicians to be barbarians, one must never forget their roots.