Phoenician Civilization

The Phoenician civilization, active from around 1500 BCE to 300 BCE, was centered in the coastal region of modern-day Lebanon and parts of Syria and Israel. Renowned as skilled traders and seafarers, the Phoenicians established city-states like Tyre, Sidon, and Byblos. They created one of the first alphabets, greatly influencing writing systems in the Mediterranean. Their extensive trade networks connected various cultures, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and innovations. The Phoenicians played a crucial role in the spread of culture and commerce across the ancient Mediterranean, impacting societies well beyond their coastal homeland.