Table of Contents
Was the Phoenician empire a trading empire?
But the Phoenicians had been the first Mediterranean trading superpower, and their early dominance led to those empires which followed adopting similar trading practices and even adopting Phoenician names for certain exotic goods from distant lands.
Where and what did the Phoenicians trade?
Phoenician merchants acted as middlemen for their neighbors. They transported linen and papyrus from Egypt, copper from Cyprus, embroidered cloth from Mesopotamia, spices from Arabia, and ivory, gold, and slaves from Africa to destinations throughout the Mediterranean.
What geographical area did the Phoenicians trade in?
cities along the coasts of North Africa, southern Iberia, and the islands of the Mediterranean followed. By the 8th century, Phoenicians were trading beyond the Mediterranean, along the Atlantic coasts of Spain and MOROCCO, especially for metals such as copper, tin, and gold.
What was the Phoenicians main trading colony?
In antiquity, Spain was a rich source of silver which the Phoenicians were able to trade from indigenous peoples for relatively low-value goods such as glass, oil, and pottery. Other important Phoenician colonies were Malaka (modern Malaga), Sexi (Almunecar), Abdera (Adra), and Ebusus (Ibiza).
When did the Phoenicians start trading with the Greeks?
By the late eighth century B.C., the Phoenicians, alongside the Greeks, had founded trading posts around the entire Mediterranean and excavations of many of these centers have added significantly to our understanding of Phoenician culture.
When did the Phoenician civilization start and end?
Several major Phoenician cities were built on the coastline of the Mediterranean. It was an enterprising maritime trading culture that spread across the Mediterranean from 1550 BCE to 300 BCE.
What did the Phoenicians do in the Mediterranean?
All major Phoenician cities were on the coastline of the Mediterranean. It was an enterprising maritime trading culture that spread across the Mediterranean from 1550 BCE to 300 BCE. The Phoenicians used the galley, a man-powered sailing vessel, and are credited with the invention of the bireme oared ship.
Where was the Phoenician empire located in Africa?
As they added Gades (now Cadiz), Malaka (Malaga) and Ibiza in Spain, added Lixus and Tingis (Tangier) in Morocco, Carthage (Tunis) in North Africa, plus colonies on Cyprus, Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica—then those individuals with a land-based focus would be moved to agree a Phoenician empire was in existence.