Chapter Two Section 5

The Phoennicians The Phoenicians were located in the western end of the Fertile Cresent. Today, this area forms the countries of Israel, Lebanon and Syria. Phoenicia consisted of a loosely united group of city-states, each governed by a different king.

The most important Phoenician sea ports were Tyre and Sidon. Phoenician sailors were highly skilled. Some historians believe that the Phoenicians sailed as far as Britain and around the western coast of Africa. Phoenician colonies could be found in Carthage (in North Africa) and Sicily, which is of the coast of modern Italy.

Phoenicia’s most valuable natural resource was lumber. The Phoenicians learned metal working skills from the Egyptians. They also invented the art of glassblowing. Phoenician customs resembled those of Egypt and Babylon.

Phoenicians believed in an afterlife, but spent life trying to win the favor of the gods, sometimes sacrificing their own children. The Phoenician alphabet became the model for later alphabets throughout the world. The spread of the Phoenician alphabet is a good example of CULTURAL DIFFUSION!!! Phoenician cities were eventually captured by the Assyrians.

The Lydians Asia Minor, or the modern country of Turkey makes up much of what the Lydians controlled during their reign. Lydians were the first known people to coin and use money. Before the invention of money, traders would barter, trading goods for other goods.

Goods that have value are called commodoties. Money allowed the Lydians to set prices for their goods, thus creating a money economy. The concept of money spread to the Greeks and Persians through CULTURAL DIFFUSION!!!