Definition: The Phoenicians lived in Phoenicia, an area they probably inhabited from about 3000 B.C. The name phoenician comes from the word for the purple dye for which they were renowned, but they may have called themselves Canaanites. Phoenicia was renowned for its merchants and seafarers. Mainland cities included Sidon, Tyre, and Berot (Beirut). They had a colony in northern Africa (modern Tunisia) known as Carthage, which repeatedly went to war with the Romans in what are known as the Punic Wars.
The Assyrians controlled much of Phoenicia beginning in the 9th century B.C. This may have prompted the colonization of Carthage. In the 6th century, the Persians gained control, and it was passed to Alexander the Great when he defeated the Persians. In 64 B.C., Phoenicia became part of the Roman province of Syria.
Also Known As: Ancient Lebanon and Syria
