The Late Bronze Age :: essays research papers

Trade and Phoenician Development in the new-fangled Bronze AgeLittle is cognize about the Phoenician stylus of life other(a) than the fact that they were a society founded on dispense with other, larger grounds. These people make use of their natural imagerys to establish address with such nations as Egypt and Assyria. The geographical locations of the Phoenician city-states were also advantageous to their type as a trading state. Located on the east sailplaning of the Mediterranean, where Israel lies today, the Phoenicians were able to heap with virtually all of the Mediterranean nations. Little else is known about their actual culture, other than what is written about them in other nations texts. In a text from the seventh century, the rules of shell out are established, and appear to deal been independent of any local rulers, traders acted on their own accord. Phoenicia became one of the greatest trading states in all of history, collect to the fact that they posses sed a large amount of valuable materials, a good location for trade, and an unsurpassed knowledge of the sea. It is through these advantages that Phoenicia was able to obtain such an influential state.Phoenicia was located in what is now present-day Israel, a very valuable plot of land even today. This was an undeniable resource for the Phoenicians, and without it there success as a trading nation would have been severely deterred. Being located on the Mediterranean, the Phoenicians had equal access to both(prenominal) Egypt and Assyria, the two most influential nations in the region. In the text, it is clearly express that should a trader be stranded in another nation they should be returned to their home, but their booty is free for the taking (Kuhrt, 407). This fact made trade easier, due to the idea that fear of capture was greatly bring down by the trade rules. Clearly, if Phoenicia had not been located where it was, their influence on trade would have been dramatically dec reased. By making use of their location the Phoenicians capitalized on trade, and their wealth of resources contributed greatly to their role.Phoenicia was rich in natural resources such as timber and metal. Because of the demands made on them . . . the coastal cities appear to have backbreaking their energy and resources on the production of luxury commodities such as ivory inlaid furniture for royal consumption (Kuhrt, 407). This fact produced a wealth of skilled craftsmen, who are still famous today for their creations.