The Phoenicians (Ancient Peoples and Places)

This is a good introduction to the Phoenicians, who lived around the Mediterranean between about 1500 and 100 BC. They seemed to originate from Canaanite roots on what it now the coast of Lebanon, around the main cities of Tyre, Byblos, and Sidon, all of Biblical fame. From here they spread West across the sea, establishing colonies across the top of North Africa, notably in Carthage, from where they spread North into Spain. Their main power was on the seas, around which they traded extensively, generally preferring to set up trading ports and colonies as opposed to invading further inland, which they only did occasionally. Their alphabet predated and was further developed into that of the Greeks, having developed originally from Egyptian hieroglyphics into a more practical system.

This book has separate chapters on the main areas of interest of Phoenician culture, including their origins and geography, their expansion across the Mediterranean, Carthage, wars with the Greeks, religion, language, towns, society, industry, trade, and art. Together these give a good idea of the development of Phoenicians culture compared to other contemporary civilisations. For example Phoenician art borrowed from Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece, while Phoenicia in turn developed new types of ship which then were copied by her rival sea powers. They were also among the first civilisations to use coins. There are good black and white illustrations showing Phoenician artifacts and structures including pottery, ornate tombs, jewellery, and sculpture.

Overall this is a readable book that presents a good range of information on an interesting and historically important people.