The Phoenician merchants. What Phoenician merchants sold

The ancient state of Phenicia was located on the territory of modern Lebanon. Despite the great distance from many countries, the Phoenician merchants were known even in the far northern lands. This became possible thanks to active trade, which they conducted not only on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, but also far beyond its borders. What did Phoenician merchants sell in foreign countries, how did they manage to travel for long distances? Read more about this and more.

Geographical position of Phenicia, economics and crafts

Almost all the major cities of Phenicia were concentrated on the shoreline of the Mediterranean Sea. This allowed the merchants to trade freely with many states, which also were located near the seaways. In addition, several fairly large caravan roads passed through the territory of Phenicia.

The position of this state on the world map is not very convenient from the point of view of the development of subsistence economy. This is due to the lack of full-flowing rivers and fertile soils, as a result of which the agriculture here developed only in the direction of gardening and viticulture. The most frequently grown grapes and olives. Also the population of the country was engaged in fishing. Among other things, the Phoenicians actively developed forest tracts, consisting of cedar and oak. The goods that the Phoenician merchants sold during their travels are directly related to the crafts that were developed in the state. The main income they received from the sale of olive oil and wine, wood cedar and oak and much more.

The Phoenician merchant fleet: who traded merchants of Phenicia

On the fleet of Phenicia should be said separately. Shipbuilders of this state for the first time began to produce vessels not with a flat bottom, but with keel, which allowed them to develop high speed. The vessels of the Phoenician merchants reached 30 meters in length. They were built mainly from Lebanese cedar. Throughout the length of the ship along the two sides there were benches with oarsmen. What the Phoenician merchants were selling was in the hold or on the deck. The choice of a particular place for cargo depended on how vulnerable and valuable the goods were.

Initially, Phenicia had trade relations only with its geographical neighbors: Egypt, Greece and Cyprus. However, thanks to the development of shipbuilding, she managed to significantly expand her sphere of presence. Phoenician merchants were known even in Western and Eastern Europe.

Phoenician Products

So, let's pass to the main question: what did the Phoenician merchants sell, what exactly did the goods make them recognizable? Artisans of Phenicia excelled in the artistic processing of wood and bone. Figurines and jewelry made of these materials, made by them, were very appreciated in many countries. It is worth recalling that the Phoenician merchants were selling glass vessels and beads because it was in this country that they mastered the manufacture of a wide variety of varieties: transparent, matte and even color. Of particular value were bottles for incense, jewelry from gold and silver.

Also, the Phoenicians learned how to extract a purple dye from shellfish, which was used to impart a strong and bright color to the tissues. It is worth noting that the materials stained in this way were not shed during washing. The bulk of the product was olive oil, spilled over amphorae, as well as grape wines. Not a bad income Phoenician merchants brought and resale. Very often in European countries, they traded Egyptian cotton and Cypriot copper.

An additional source of income for Phoenician merchants

Despite the success of trade trips throughout the Mediterranean and the surrounding areas, the Phoenicians did not hesitate to plunder ships belonging to other states. Quite often it happened that merchants landed in a small settlement on the coast and robbed it.

It is known for certain that the Phoenician merchants and slaves sold during such raids were selling. Thus, the slave trade brought them a good extra earnings, which requires absolutely no investment.