15 Facts About Our Ancestors, The Phoenicians

by | February 9th, 2017
  

9 February, 2017 By Anthony B. Kantara

#1 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LIVING IN BYBLOS, A PHOENICIAN CITY, FOR OVER 7000 YEARS

Making it the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world.

#2 PHOENICIANS INVENTED THE ALPHABET

The Phoenicians invented the original alphabet which consisted of 22 letters. The Greeks later adopted it and added 4 more, all of which we use today.

#3 PHOENICIANS INVENTED THE NUMBER ZERO – 0

How else could you be able to quantify the number of people who love you? JK.

#4 WELL, THE PHOENICIANS ACTUALLY INVENTED THE NUMBERS

The Phoenicians invested numbers which look like what we call the “Roman Numerals” today. They created the alphabet and number system for the sole purpose of being able to record information about their trades.

#5 PHOENICIANS REACHED THE AMERICAS BEFORE CHRISTOPHER COLOMBUS

There is evidence that proves the presence of the Phoenicians in modern day America – before Christopher Colombus discovered it.

#6 PHOENICIANS INVENTED THE PURPLE COLOR

It was extremely expensive and time-consuming to produce the purple color. Only the very wealthy were able to afford it. That is why we associate the purple color with royalty

#7 PHOENICIANS WERE THE FIRST TO ACCEPT CHRISTIANITY

Some suggest they became Christian before the Jews even converted.

#8 ‘PHOENICIANISM’ IS A FORM OF LEBANESE NATIONALISM TODAY

Phoenicianism is the belief that Lebanese are of Phoenician descent and not of Arab descent.

#9 PYTHAGORAS WAS PHOENICIAN

Much like most Lebanese today, Pythagoras was born abroad to a Phoenician father. I know we’re not a big fan of mathematics, but we should still accept him as one of our own.. after all, he’s quite the genius.

#10 PHOENICIANS SUPPLIED THE CEDAR TREES FOR KING SOLOMON’S TEMPLE

The famous story in the Bible of King Solomon using our cedar trees to build his temple in Jerusalem.

#11 PHOENICIA GREW WITHOUT ENGAGING IN WAR

Phoenicia spanned the entire coast of the Mediterranean sea. However, it grew through trading and setting up trading posts and not by conquering. The Phoenicians very rarely went to war – and when they did, it was to defend one of their city-states.

Phoenician settlement ‘Sa Caleta’ in Ibiza, Spain

#12 PHOENICIANS’ WAS THE NAME GIVEN TO THEM BY THE GREEKS

It comes from the Greek word “Phoinikes” for Tyranian Purple – referring to the purple dye manufactured and used in Tyre. We actually don’t know what they called themselves.

#13 THE MAIN CITIES OF PHOENICIA ARE LOCATED IN LEBANON

Sidon, Byblos and Tyre are ancient Phoenician cities located in Lebanon – where people have been living for thousands of years… Making them among the oldest in the World.

#14 PHOENICIANS INVENTED GLASS MANUFACTURING

Phoenician glassworkers invented the glass blowing skills.

#15 PHOENICIANS DEVELOPED OPEN-SEA NAVIGATION

Before, sailors wouldn’t go far out into the sea. Rather, they stayed close to the coast. The Phoenicians revolutionized this by sailing out far into the sea which has lead to the success of their trading.
They used the North Star to help them navigate. It was referred to as the “Phoenician Star” up until the 19th century.