Phoenicians: Masters of the Sea and Trade

What geographic challenges did the Phoenicians face?

• Rocky hills, forested mountains, and the sea

• Deserts and lack of water

• Dense jungles and heavy rainfall

• Flat plains with no natural barriers

Why was cedar wood ideal for Phoenician shipbuilding?

• It was heavy and durable

• It was lightweight, resistant to rot, and didn't warp

• It was waterproof and fireproof

• It was cheap and easily available

How did the Phoenicians discourage competition in sea trade?

• By forming trade alliances

• By spreading stories of sea monsters

• By lowering their prices

• By blocking trade routes

What was unique about the Phoenician alphabet?

• It used symbols to represent ideas

• It was written from right to left

• It had 22 letters representing sounds

• It was only used for religious texts

Which cultures adopted and modified the Phoenician alphabet?

• Chinese and Japanese

• Greeks and Romans

• Egyptians and Sumerians

• Indians and Persians

What luxury item did the Phoenicians make using snails?

• Perfume

• Gold jewelry

• Silk garments

• Purple dye

What was a major downside of producing Tyrian purple dye?

• It was highly toxic

• It caused deforestation

• It created a horrible smell

• It was banned by other cultures

What was the most famous foreign settlement of the Phoenicians?

• Tyre

• Byblos

• Carthage

• Sidon

How did the Phoenicians organize their cities?

• As independent city-states

• As a unified empire

• Under a single central government

• Under a democratic system

Which conquerors controlled the Phoenicians at different times?

• Romans and Greeks

• Hittites and Sumerians

• Egyptians and Babylonians

• Assyrians, Persians, and Alexander the Great