Geography & Expansion
Where was Phoenicia located in the ancient world?
On the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea (modern-day Lebanon).
What nickname were the Phoenicians given because of their role in trade?
“Middlemen of trade.”
What did Phoenician sailors use to navigate during the day?
Landmarks (seamarks).
What was one of the Phoenicians’ greatest achievements?
Creating the first alphabet based on sounds.
What made the Phoenicians famous throughout the ancient world?
Their skills in navigation, trade, and craftsmanship.
Why was Phoenicia’s location good for trade?
It was along major sea routes that connected Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Name one good the Phoenicians traded that they made themselves.
Purple dye or glassware.
What star did the Phoenicians use to navigate at night?
The North Star (also called the Phoenician Star).
How many symbols were in the Phoenician alphabet?
22 symbols.
How did Phoenician trade connect different parts of the world?
It spread goods, ideas, and writing systems across the Mediterranean
Why did the Phoenicians build colonies across the Mediterranean?
To control trade routes, rest their ships, and store goods.
What were two luxury goods the Phoenicians transported between civilizations?
Olive oil and wine.
What tools or structures helped sailors find their way back to port?
Lighthouses built near temples.
How did the Phoenician alphabet differ from earlier writing systems like hieroglyphics?
It represented sounds instead of pictures or symbols for whole words.
What does Phoenician success show about geography and communication?
Access to trade routes and clear communication lead to prosperity
What natural resource from their homeland was highly valued for building ships and temples?
Cedar wood (timber).
Why was Phoenician trade based on trust?
They used silent trade — both sides respected the exchange without stealing.
Why were Phoenician ships considered advanced?
They had sails, oars, strong hulls, and organized cargo areas.
How did the alphabet spread to other civilizations?
Through trade — the Phoenicians shared it with cultures like the Greeks and Hebrews.
What culture adapted the Phoenician alphabet and passed it to others?
The Greeks (which later influenced the Latin alphabet).
What made sailing long distances in the ancient world risky or difficult?
Storms, limited maps, and the threat of pirates or shipwrecks.
Why was purple dye so valuable in the ancient world?
It came from a rare sea snail and was a symbol of wealth and royalty.
What qualities would a good Phoenician lookout or captain’s assistant need?
Organization, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills during storms.
How did the alphabet make communication easier for traders?
It simplified recordkeeping and teaching, making trade faster and clearer.
Why are the Phoenicians remembered as one of the most influential sea-trading civilizations in history?
They connected many cultures, advanced navigation, and developed the alphabet that shaped modern writing.