The Phoenicians and the Lydians Their contributions to history

The Phoenicians and Trade Not much farming land and few natural resources. Not much farming land and few natural resources. Traded cedar wood for food and supplies Traded cedar wood for food and supplies Skilled ship builders and Masters of Navigation (used the North Star as a guide) Skilled ship builders and Masters of Navigation (used the North Star as a guide) Sailed across Mediterranean Sea to trade Sailed across Mediterranean Sea to trade Built colonies around Mediterranean Sea Built colonies around Mediterranean Sea Carthage – 814 BCE Carthage – 814 BCE

Phoenicians and the Alphabet Borrowed from the Egyptians Borrowed from the Egyptians Cut it to 22 letters Cut it to 22 letters Each letter stood for single consonant Each letter stood for single consonant Made it easier to learn to write Made it easier to learn to write No longer limited to scribes No longer limited to scribes Greeks then borrowed this alphabet, which in turn became our alphabet Greeks then borrowed this alphabet, which in turn became our alphabet

Alphabet Family Tree

Alphabet

Lydians and Coined Money Northwest of Phoenicia (Current Day Turkey) Northwest of Phoenicia (Current Day Turkey) First people to use coined money put out by the government First people to use coined money put out by the government All coins were same weight, so they had the same value All coins were same weight, so they had the same value Allowed traders to set prices Allowed traders to set prices Set up a money economy instead of bartering and weighing silver Set up a money economy instead of bartering and weighing silver