The Phoenicians and the West: Politics, Colonies and Trade

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Fantastic read!

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This is an interesting book which describes the Phoenician expansion into the Western Mediterranean from the eighth to sixth centuries B.C. The focus is the Iberian Phoenician settlements on either side of the Pillars of Hercules with Gadir (Cadiz) as the main attraction. As the written record of the Phoenicians themselves did not survive, this work relies primarily on archaeological information and the small body of sources written by the Phoenicians' neighboring cultures (the Greek Homer's epic poetry, the Jewish Old Testament, etc.).There is much discussion about the social, political, and economic reasons for the Phoenician expansion westward. In addition, the form which this expansion took - from informal trade to outright colonization is explored. A large part of the book is devoted to the competing historical theories regarding this expansion in which the author is obviously well-grounded.Who engaged in the trade and expansion- the palace, the temple, or independent merchants? How was it organized? What were the ships like? What were the commodities traded? How were Phoenician relations with the indigenous peoples handled? All these questions are answered.There is obviously comparison between the original Phoenician settlements in the West and those of her daughter colony Carthage which succeeded them. The emphasis in this work is on the Phoenician period rather than the following Punic period of settlement. This is done to give the Phoenicians' initial accomplishments in the West due credit rather than have them overshadowed by Carthage.With the book's emphasis on the Iberian peninsula, the Phoenician enclaves in the central Mediterranean such as on Malta, Sicily, and Sardinia do not get much attention. I would have enjoyed more comparison between the Phoenician settlements and the subsequent Greek colonies in the West as well.An interesting read on a little-known but highly-influential ancient people. And don't forget to thank them for this alphabet while you're at it.

In their day the Phoenicians were the quintessential mariners and explorers, planting colonies throughout the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, and more controversially elsewhere along Africa's coasts and probably in the Far East along the monsoon trade route.This survey work of what is known today about the Phoenicians is the first one in years I believe. Like many maritime peoples, the Phoenicians were often conquered and, given their extensive use of papyrus, their archives have not survived. Since ancient times and to the present day various historians with axes to grind have badmouthed these people.This isn't the most riveting text I've ever read.See also Lionel Casson's "The Ancient Mariners", "Travel In The Ancient World", and "Everyday life in ancient Rome", Michael Grant's "The Etruscans" (out of print), and Barry Fell's "America B.C.", as well as websites that show up in a search for the phrase "The Periplus".

Maria Eugenia Aubet is a Spanish Archeologist who has made a significant contribution to the history of the maritime trade and colonies of the Phoenicians. Phoenicia, now modern-day Lebanon, was the home of the Biblical Canaanites, who, because of contraction of their land from Israelite and other invasions, turned outward to the Mediterranean Sea for survival. In trading with so many diverse nations, the Phoenicians developed a 22-letter alphabet based on sound, the basis of our alphabet of today.This book is scientific and well-presented. My only regret is that she could have spent more time on the development of the alphabet.

This book is excellent in most aspects, the problems with it are a product of the seemingly narrow implications of the material. This becomes a problem of narrowing the scope and nature of the archaeological evidence. The material and apparent patterns revealed have major implications for the reconstructed narrative of the "ancient" European history and upon the influence of nation networks such as the Phoenicians and the Phoceans. This in turn shifts what were the actual commercial activities established in the region. Establishing the activities and dates of occupation at various present day ruins has major implications for the narrative that is used to establish or deny alternative interpretations based upon a hermeneutic process when is strongly accepted by current conceits of fictions used to eternalize a specific social order. The counter example is Max Muller's creation of an Aryan race. and the facilitation it provided in justifying occupation by the British East Indies Company. Marija Gimbutas is a similar figure and did important and analogous work. This book points to the high importance of commercial territories to the network nations. Phocea for instance claimed the Marseilles region for its involvement of trade by land and by products. This material has evidence that requires a different narrative for so called Euro/Med "pre" history.

A balanced and intelligent survey of the rise and fall of the Phoenicians in the Near East and the western end of the Mediterranean. Restores Phoenicia to its rightful place in the history of civilisation.

Das Buch enthält in knapper aber präziser Form einen möglichst vollständigen Überblick über die Welt der Phönizer. Besser als alles andere zu diesem Thema auf dem Markt. Nur die Bilder leider nur in SW.(short- comprehensive - very good!)

Excellent sum up and analysis of numerous data, historical, archaeological, surveys, C-14 dating, etc. The dating of the foundation of Carthage could be push back to 870 BCE rather than 814 CE!Gérard GertouxPhD Candidate Archéologie et histoire des mondes anciens

An outstanding and innovative survey of an otherwise little known subject, wide-ranging and up to date. Very useful and sensibly p;riced