The Phoenicians were responsible for the formation of a rich civilization that occupied a strip of Mediterranean coastline that penetrated the Asian territory to the mountains of today Lebanon. Earlier in their career, like other ancient peoples, the Phoenicians developed an economy exclusively devoted to agriculture. However, thanks to its geographical position, it enabled the commercial contact with various nomadic caravans.
The expansion of trade was responsible for organizing various independent urban centers, among whom Arwad, Byblos, Ugarit, Tyre and Sidon. In each of these cities, we observe the presence of a monarch chosen by the decision of the great merchants and landowners of the site. Thus, we can say that the Phoenician political landscape was highly plutocratic, that is, controlled by the richest portions of the population.
The development of trade between the Phoenicians came primarily through the implementation of trade in goods. Over time, the expansion of activities concentrated on the manufacture of coins that facilitated the conduct of business. Under this aspect, we should also highlight the great complexity of the handicraft among the Phoenicians. Wood, carpet, stone, ivory, glass and metals were some of the products that attracted the attention of skilled Phoenician craftsmen.
Another interesting contribution from trade between the Phoenicians was the elaboration of one of the oldest alphabets of all history. Through a specific set of symbols, the Phoenicians were able to undertake the regulation of their business activities and expand the possibilities of communication between people. Centuries later, the Greco-Roman civilization was influenced directly by the system inaugurated by the Phoenicians.
In the religious sphere, the Phoenicians were known for their broad interest in the animistic practices, that is, the worship of trees, mountains and other manifestations of nature. The Great Mother and Baal (the protector god) were the two most prestigious deities of the Phoenician religious universe. Generally, the rituals were performed outdoors and included the performance of sacrifices, and some of these relied on the offering of human beings.
The expansion of trade was responsible for organizing various independent urban centers, among whom Arwad, Byblos, Ugarit, Tyre and Sidon. In each of these cities, we observe the presence of a monarch chosen by the decision of the great merchants and landowners of the site. Thus, we can say that the Phoenician political landscape was highly plutocratic, that is, controlled by the richest portions of the population.
The development of trade between the Phoenicians came primarily through the implementation of trade in goods. Over time, the expansion of activities concentrated on the manufacture of coins that facilitated the conduct of business. Under this aspect, we should also highlight the great complexity of the handicraft among the Phoenicians. Wood, carpet, stone, ivory, glass and metals were some of the products that attracted the attention of skilled Phoenician craftsmen.
Another interesting contribution from trade between the Phoenicians was the elaboration of one of the oldest alphabets of all history. Through a specific set of symbols, the Phoenicians were able to undertake the regulation of their business activities and expand the possibilities of communication between people. Centuries later, the Greco-Roman civilization was influenced directly by the system inaugurated by the Phoenicians.
In the religious sphere, the Phoenicians were known for their broad interest in the animistic practices, that is, the worship of trees, mountains and other manifestations of nature. The Great Mother and Baal (the protector god) were the two most prestigious deities of the Phoenician religious universe. Generally, the rituals were performed outdoors and included the performance of sacrifices, and some of these relied on the offering of human beings.
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