The Phoenicians were an influential ancient civilization that emerged along the eastern Mediterranean coast, in the region corresponding to modern-day Lebanon, parts of Syria, and northern Israel. Flourishing between 1500 BCE and 300 BCE, they are celebrated for their maritime skills, extensive trade networks, and significant cultural contributions, particularly the development of the phonetic alphabet.

Renowned as master shipbuilders and navigators, the Phoenicians established themselves as dominant traders across the Mediterranean Sea. They exported goods like cedar wood, glassware, and the famous Tyrian purple dye, a luxurious pigment derived from sea snails, which became a symbol of royalty. Their key city-states—Tyre, Sidon, and Byblos—were vital hubs of commerce and culture. The Phoenicians also founded numerous colonies, the most notable being Carthage in North Africa, which later became a powerful empire in its own right.

Culturally, the Phoenicians made a lasting impact with their alphabet, a system of writing that simplified communication and influenced Greek and Latin scripts, forming the foundation of many modern languages. They were also skilled artisans, producing intricate metalwork, glass objects, and textiles.

Although the Phoenicians eventually succumbed to larger empires like the Assyrians, Babylonians, and later the Greeks and Romans, their legacy endures. As intermediaries of trade and culture, the Phoenicians connected distant civilizations, leaving an indelible mark on history.