Phoenicia occupies an important place in the ancient world.This state extended from Egypt to Mesopotamia, is conveniently located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea.The inhabitants of the country were able to create a highly developed civilization with crafts, culture and rich maritime trade.Writing Phoenician is one of the oldest recorded in human history.Interestingly, it is largely influenced by the formation of the Greek letter.The highest flowering of civilization, the Phoenicians fell to the years 1200-800 BC.
largest Phoenician city
This definition can be applied to several important centers of the ancient Mediterranean coast.For a long time the existence of a civilization different cities reached unprecedented prosperity and decline.Thus, the largest Phoenician city of the early period - a Sidon.He was later eclipsed by Tyre and Byblos in particular.
Sidon
their wealth and power of this ancient Phoenician city, like the rest of civilization was required extensive commercial relations and active maritime trade.Among other things, Sidon at a certain stage is an important center of the ancient world in some crafts.For example, glass is produced as well as the purple paint, later reached a high of bronze casting and jewelry making.Already in the XV-XIV centuries Sidon is an important cultural center.
Byblos
It has been known since the IV millennium BC.However, the true flowering of the center began with the end of the II millennium, and lasted until the conquests of Alexander the Great.This is the largest Phoenician city was repeatedly mentioned in the Bible that is called there Gebalom.It's interesting that this seaport in ancient Greece imported papyrus, why was in the ancient world called "Byblos", which gave, in turn, is the most famous name in the world of the book.
largest Phoenician city of vanishing civilization
Phoenicians, as the Greeks later, very actively expanding its presence in the Mediterranean by the founding of the colonies.Interestingly, some of the Phoenician cities started as a colonial settlements far from the metropolis, eventually themselves become a powerful city-state.The most famous of these is Carthage.The very worthy opponent of Rome that led him long Punic War III-II century BC.The city was founded by colonists from the type of the end of the IX century BC.After a significant reduction of its former influence in the Mediterranean Phoenician Carthage manages to reassign themselves yesterday Phoenician colony.Already in the III century BC, it became the largest public education throughout the western Mediterranean.He was subordinate to North Africa, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Southern Spain.However, Carthage faced with a worthy contender for themselves even in the face of a young Roman republic.A series of wars with varying success put an end to the domination of the Phoenicians in the Mediterranean last.
