The Phoenicians
The Phoenicians occupied the cities of Simyra, Zarephath, Jubeil, Arwad, Byblos, Acco,
Sidon, Tripolis, Tyre and Berytus. These city states and their inhabitants were not a
unified state, but rather a group of city kingdoms. Only two of these city kingdoms, Tyre,
and Sidon, were considered the most dominant. The Phoenicians themselves were also
known as Sidonians. Their settlement in the Mediterranean has been estimated to the year
2500 BC, and was heavily influenced by the Sumerian and Akkadian culture near
Babylon. In 1800 BC, Phoenicia was invaded by the Egyptians and was kept under
Egyptian control until 1400 BC. Later Hittite raids against Egypt brought an opportunity
for the Phoenicians to be free from Egyptian reign.
The Phoenicians were excellent traders within the Mediterranean. Their most notable
exports were the purple dye known as Tyrian purple, glass manufacture and the use of the
Phoenician alphabet, which was the prototype for the western Roman and Greek
alphabets. Phoenician trade was made possible by its excellent navy, which in connection
with its other city states made trade easily possible. Tyre was the leading Phoenician city
until they were subjugated by Assyria during the 8th Century, its independence was
achieved in 538 BC. Later, with the advent of their independence, Nebuchadnezzar II of
the Chaldean Empire, incorporated Phoenicia into the Persian Empire. With
Nebuchadnezzar's rule, Sidon became a leading Phoenician city.
The downfall of the Phoenicians occurred when Alexander the Great defeated Persia in
333 BC. Almost all of the Phoenician cities including Sidon, Byblos, and Arwad
conceded to Macedonia. Tyre, the only city which didn't forfeit to the Macedonians, held
strong until Alexander waged a 7 month siege in 332 BC. After the siege of Tyre, the
Phoenician Empire dwindled, and in 64 BC the name of Phoenicia disappeared entirely,
becoming a part of the Roman providence of Syria.