The Phoenicians were a powerful people known for their excellent craftsmanship. Phoenicia began to take shape approximately 3200 BCE but quickly rose to rule the Mediterranean area by 2750 BCE. This ancient maritime civilization was located in the region bordering the eastern Mediterranean Sea from what is now present day Turkey to Egypt; it consisted of city-states that shared a communal language and culture. However, the region was surrounded by the Lebanon Mountains and suffered an arid climate, so agriculture was nearly impossible. Phoenicians, therefore, had to rely on sources to keep themselves and their families alive and well.
Trade put Phoenicia on the map. Before the Phoenicians developed their society, goods were transported over land or in unsteady rafts. The cedar trees in Phoenicia proved to be the solution to this lengthy, risky situation. The Phoenicians used these trees to build strong ships fit to sail on the Mediterranean Sea. The most successful of these ships was the bireme ships.These ships, powered by rowers, had two tiered galleries, and the entire deck was dedicated to the storage of trade goods. These ships meant that the Phoenicians could carry out trade more easily and quickly. This ability to trade over sea left the Phoenicians able to rule the sea while their counterparts battled over the land.
The cedar lumber was one of Phoenicia’s main exports, but it had many others to offer. For example, Phoenicians are often referred to as Purple People. The citizens of Tyre, a Phoenician city, manufacture a purple dye known to stain its workers’ hands. This dye was commonly used in the making of royal robes for kings, particularly in Mesopotamia. Another distinctive item Phoenicia produced was wine. Its city of Byblos was widely acclaimed as a one of the originators of winemaking. In addition to these specialties, archaeologists have discovered Phoenician trade ships with cargo including copper, tin, oil, glass, jewelry, earthenware, pottery, and even scrap metal. These goods were in such high demand that the Phoenicians mastered the art of mass production. Large amounts of similar artifacts fashioned in the same way were have been found in regions as far away as England. The great military powers at work preferred to leave the Phoenicians alone because their goods were so highly valued. This refuge, however, did not last. In Ezekiel 26:16 of the Bible, a prophet predicted the destruction of the essential city, Tyre.
In addition to their advanced knowledge of trade, evidence shows the Phoenicians may have displayed traits of early democracy. The Phoenicians are traditionally viewed as a monarchial society; each city-state of the Phoenician empire was run by a different king. The sarcophagi of these monarchs is proof of how wealthy and valuable they were to Phoenician society. These kings controlled both the civic and commercial aspects of the citizens’ life, as well as the religious aspects. The law designated these limited monarchs, also stated that in times of trouble, the Phoenician citizens could choose the representatives leading them.
As Phoenician trade increased and the merchants grew wealthier, the kings’ power began to decrease. The power of these wealthy families started to influence public affairs. During the periods of invasion, the heads of these families began to act on their power. They formed a council of elders to council the monarch. In fact, a treaty from this time states the monarch should rule in conjunction with the elders of his or her country.
As time progressed, however, power began to shift from just the kings and the rich. In the 6th century BCE when Nebuchadnezzar invaded Phoenicia, Tyre operated without a monarchy for seven years. Instead, the city was governed by suffetes, a type of judge. Tyre’s government at this point is referred to by historians as a republic headed by elective magistrates. Additionally, when Alexander the Great went to overtake the city of Tyre, he was not met by a monarch; instead, Alexander was met by a group of representatives. Clearly, the Phoenicians embraced early ideas of democracy.
However, it took a while for the Phoenician view on politics to catch on to the rest of the Ancient World. Greek enlightenment occurred gradually in small increments. As the cultural, social, and political ideas gathered a revival sprang up in Greece. From this, Western civilization was born.
Trade put Phoenicia on the map. Before the Phoenicians developed their society, goods were transported over land or in unsteady rafts. The cedar trees in Phoenicia proved to be the solution to this lengthy, risky situation. The Phoenicians used these trees to build strong ships fit to sail on the Mediterranean Sea. The most successful of these ships was the bireme ships.These ships, powered by rowers, had two tiered galleries, and the entire deck was dedicated to the storage of trade goods. These ships meant that the Phoenicians could carry out trade more easily and quickly. This ability to trade over sea left the Phoenicians able to rule the sea while their counterparts battled over the land.
The cedar lumber was one of Phoenicia’s main exports, but it had many others to offer. For example, Phoenicians are often referred to as Purple People. The citizens of Tyre, a Phoenician city, manufacture a purple dye known to stain its workers’ hands. This dye was commonly used in the making of royal robes for kings, particularly in Mesopotamia. Another distinctive item Phoenicia produced was wine. Its city of Byblos was widely acclaimed as a one of the originators of winemaking. In addition to these specialties, archaeologists have discovered Phoenician trade ships with cargo including copper, tin, oil, glass, jewelry, earthenware, pottery, and even scrap metal. These goods were in such high demand that the Phoenicians mastered the art of mass production. Large amounts of similar artifacts fashioned in the same way were have been found in regions as far away as England. The great military powers at work preferred to leave the Phoenicians alone because their goods were so highly valued. This refuge, however, did not last. In Ezekiel 26:16 of the Bible, a prophet predicted the destruction of the essential city, Tyre.
In addition to their advanced knowledge of trade, evidence shows the Phoenicians may have displayed traits of early democracy. The Phoenicians are traditionally viewed as a monarchial society; each city-state of the Phoenician empire was run by a different king. The sarcophagi of these monarchs is proof of how wealthy and valuable they were to Phoenician society. These kings controlled both the civic and commercial aspects of the citizens’ life, as well as the religious aspects. The law designated these limited monarchs, also stated that in times of trouble, the Phoenician citizens could choose the representatives leading them.
As Phoenician trade increased and the merchants grew wealthier, the kings’ power began to decrease. The power of these wealthy families started to influence public affairs. During the periods of invasion, the heads of these families began to act on their power. They formed a council of elders to council the monarch. In fact, a treaty from this time states the monarch should rule in conjunction with the elders of his or her country.
As time progressed, however, power began to shift from just the kings and the rich. In the 6th century BCE when Nebuchadnezzar invaded Phoenicia, Tyre operated without a monarchy for seven years. Instead, the city was governed by suffetes, a type of judge. Tyre’s government at this point is referred to by historians as a republic headed by elective magistrates. Additionally, when Alexander the Great went to overtake the city of Tyre, he was not met by a monarch; instead, Alexander was met by a group of representatives. Clearly, the Phoenicians embraced early ideas of democracy.
However, it took a while for the Phoenician view on politics to catch on to the rest of the Ancient World. Greek enlightenment occurred gradually in small increments. As the cultural, social, and political ideas gathered a revival sprang up in Greece. From this, Western civilization was born.