The Phoenicians established a trade empire along the eastern Mediterranean coast around 1100 BCE. From their home in what is now Lebanon and Israel, they traded goods like glass, lumber, and the expensive purple dye made from Murex snails. Sailing in ships close to shore, the Phoenicians exchanged products with other cultures. They transported goods in clay amphorae and helped develop the first alphabet, likely to facilitate their trading activities over long distances.

1. PhoenicianPhoenician
TradersTraders

2. While the great civilizations of Babylon and Assyria were fighting over theWhile the great civilizations of Babylon and Assyria were fighting over the
eastern Fertile Crescent, around 1100 B.C.E., a great nation rose in the west,eastern Fertile Crescent, around 1100 B.C.E., a great nation rose in the west,
on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

3. Who were the Phoenicians?Who were the Phoenicians?
Taking over this little spot of land (now part of modern
Israel and Lebanon), the Phoenicians established a
trade empire that influenced generations of people that
followed.

5. Phoenician BoatsPhoenician Boats

7. This ancient boat is being restored.This ancient boat is being restored.

8. Predict: From looking at the boats, how farPredict: From looking at the boats, how far
away from the eastern coast of theaway from the eastern coast of the
Mediterranean Sea do you think theMediterranean Sea do you think the
Phoenicians could trade?Phoenicians could trade?

9. The Phoenician WorldThe Phoenician World
Phoenician traders had to row their boats and stay near shallow water. TheyPhoenician traders had to row their boats and stay near shallow water. They
traveled close to the shoreline around Mediterranean area to trade goodstraveled close to the shoreline around Mediterranean area to trade goods
with people from other cultures.with people from other cultures.

10. They traded several goods including
glass and lumber.
Their most important product was
Tyrian purple, a dye made from boiling
the Murex snail.
This purple dye was very difficult and
expensive to produce. It was very
valuable to the rich.
Murex snail

11. Purple dye was made in the city ofPurple dye was made in the city of
Tyre, so is called Tyrian Purple.Tyre, so is called Tyrian Purple.
Tyre is in modern day Lebanon.Tyre is in modern day Lebanon.

12. Phoenicia was also filled with cedar trees.Phoenicia was also filled with cedar trees.
They cut them down and traded lumber toThey cut them down and traded lumber to
other places around the Mediterranean Sea.other places around the Mediterranean Sea.

13. How did Phoenicians transport theirHow did Phoenicians transport their
goods on these ships?goods on these ships?
 They needed containers that could be madeThey needed containers that could be made
both small and large, depending on the goodsboth small and large, depending on the goods
they were carryingthey were carrying
 They needed containers that they could makeThey needed containers that they could make
out of a local productout of a local product
 They needed containers that could be sealed toThey needed containers that could be sealed to
keep out bugs and moisturekeep out bugs and moisture
 They used . . .They used . . .

14. Clay AmphoraeClay Amphorae
(That’s the plural of one amphora)(That’s the plural of one amphora)

15. These amphorae were filled with purple dye made in the cityThese amphorae were filled with purple dye made in the city
of Tyre and transported to the ancient city of Beersheva.of Tyre and transported to the ancient city of Beersheva.

16. The Phoenicians biggestThe Phoenicians biggest
legacy was theirlegacy was their
alphabet.alphabet.

17. Their alphabet is the “grandfather”Their alphabet is the “grandfather”
of ancient Hebrew, Greek and Latin.of ancient Hebrew, Greek and Latin.

18. Challenge!Challenge!
Why do you think the Phoenicians needed aWhy do you think the Phoenicians needed a
written language? Hint: think about how theywritten language? Hint: think about how they
made a living.made a living.