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==Phoenician economy, society, and religion==

The Phoenicians were great explorers and it is believed that Hanno, explored the west coast of African in the 7th century BC. There are even some sources that claim that they visited the British Isles. The city-states had large fleets and they pioneered the development of the multi-tiered galley, which was revolutionary. The Phoenicians became great sailors in an effort to secure resources and to engaged in trade. The economies of cities such as Tyre were dependent on manufacturing and trade. They exported cedar wood all over the Mediterranean and were renowned for their production of purple dyes, which were very popular with ancient monarchs. The Phoenicians, like the Hebrews, who were related people, were very religious people. Their chief god was Baal and many of the Phoenician gods derived from the religion of the Canaanites. Each city has its own titular deity, for example, Melqart was the patron deity of Tyre <ref>Clifford, Richard J. "Phoenician religion." Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 279, no. 1 (1990): 55-64 </ref>. It has been claimed that they practiced human sacrifice and in particular, they sacrificed children at a site known as a Tophet, but this is rejected by some historians. Religious fraternities were very important in Phoenician social and commercial life.

==Phoenician art and culture==

The Phoenicians were famous artists and Homer in the Odyssey praises their craft persons and artisans <ref>Homer, Odyssey, iii, 67</ref>. They utilized traditional Canaanite styles and designs. Like many other urban cultures they were receptive to new ideas and artistic styles, for example, they adopted the Egyptian-style of sarcophagi. There is as such no single distinctive Phoenician artistic style, but they did develop new skills and transmitted the art of other peoples across the Levant. Artistic works made in cities such as Sidon were exported all over the Mediterranean to Carthaginian outposts and they influenced local artists. The Phoenicians played a very important role in the development of the First Jewish Temple, built by King Solomon, artisans sent by the King of Tyre helped in its construction. The cities of Phoenicia played a critical role in the artistic development of the Levant and beyond<ref> Moscati, p 14</ref>.