1. Phoenician Trade Routes Traders of the Mediterranean

2. Background on the Phoenicians  Located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, (Lebanon)  Phoenicia was not a unified state  Self-rule by ~1200 BCE  Most notable traders and sailors of the ancient world

3. Where did they go?  Traveled throughout the Mediterranean and even into the Atlantic Ocean Other nations competed to employ PhoeniciansOther nations competed to employ Phoenicians City-kingdoms founded many colonies because of tradeCity-kingdoms founded many colonies because of trade

4. No longer independent  Conquered by Persia in ~ 540 BCE  Alexander the Great invaded Asia and defeated Persia in 333 BC  Phoenicians gradually lost their separate identity- absorbed into the Greco-Macedonian empire

5. Exports and Imports  Exports Cedar and Pine woodCedar and Pine wood Fine linenFine linen Cloths dyed with the famous Tyrian purpleCloths dyed with the famous Tyrian purple EmbroideriesEmbroideries Metalwork and glassMetalwork and glass Wine, salt and dried fishWine, salt and dried fish  Imports Raw materials  Papyrus  Ivory, Ebony  Silk  Amber  Ostrich eggs  Spices, Incense  Horses  Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron, Tin, Jewels, and Precious Stones

6. Conducted Transit Trade  Arabian caravan trade passed through Phoenician hands  Regular trade routes from Tigris/ Euphrates  In Egypt, Phoenician merchants gained a foothold Maintained a profitable tradeMaintained a profitable trade

7. Trial and Error  First attempts were crude  Voyages only consisted of island hopping  Boats Began with canoes (trunks of trees)Began with canoes (trunks of trees) Boats were then constructedBoats were then constructed

8. Phoenician Ships

9. Navigation and Seafaring  Established commercial supremacy  Phoenicians are credited with discovery and use of Polaris  Ventured where others would not  Carefully guarded secrets of their trade routes and discoveries and knowledge of winds and currents

11. Two types of Vessels  Merchant Ships Broad, round, like a “tub”Broad, round, like a “tub” Impelled by oars and sails (more dependent on sails)Impelled by oars and sails (more dependent on sails) Square sailSquare sail Small boats attachedSmall boats attached  War- vessels Long open rowboats  All of them, upon a level, the number of rowers on either side being generally 15- 25 Each galley armed with sharp metal spike (chief offense)

12. Phoenician Merchant Galley The Phoenicians were the most able shipbuilders and sailors of the ancient Mediterranean world. Merchant ships, such as the one pictured here, enabled them to trade throughout the Mediterranean Sea.

13. Phoenician war-galleys

14. Contributions of Trade  The most important- alphabet.  Purple dye, called Tyrian purple, and the invention of glass  Their industries- the manufacture of textiles and dyes, metalworking, and glassmaking

15. Phoenicians used cuneiform (Mesopotamian writing), they also produced a script of their own.Phoenicians used cuneiform (Mesopotamian writing), they also produced a script of their own.