The History and Archaeology of Phoenicia

Description

Hélène Sader presents the history and archaeology of Phoenicia based on the available contemporary written sources and the results of archaeological excavations in Phoenicia proper. Sader explores the origin of the term 'Phoenicia'; the political and geographical history of the city-states Arwad, Byblos, Sidon, and Tyre; and topography, climate, and natural resources of the Phoenician homeland. Her limited focus on Phoenicia proper, in contrast to previous studies that included information from Phoenician colonies, presents the bare realities of the opportunities and difficulties shaping Phoenician life. Sader's evaluation and synthesis of the evidence offers a corrective to the common assumption of a unified Phoenician kingdom. Abbreviations vii Preface xi 1. Introduction 1 1.1. Origin and Etymology of the Term Phoenicia 1 1.2. The Origin of the Phoenicians 3 1.3. Chronological and Geographical Setting 4 1.4. The Problem of the Sources 23 2. Phoenicia in Iron Age I 33 2.1. The Textual Evidence 34 2.2. The Archaeological Record 36 3. Phoenicia in Iron Age II and III 51 3.1. The Phoenician Polities 51 3.2. Physical Characteristics, Settlement Pattern, and Distribution of the Phoenician Sites 138 3.3. The Political Organization of the Phoenician Kingdoms 143 4. Phoenician Culture 147 4.1. The Language 147 4.2. The Material Culture 155 5. Phoenician Religion 181 5.1. General Characteristics of Phoenician Religion 181 5.2. Phoenician Religious Architecture 188 5.3. Cultic Artifacts 205 5.4. Foreign Influence on Phoenician Religion 210 5.5. Phoenician Mortuary Practices 216 6. Phoenicia’s Economy 249 6.1. Phoenician Trade 249 6.2. Phoenician Agriculture 276 6.3. Phoenician Industries 296 Conclusion 313 Bibliography 317 Ancient Sources Index 363 Personal Names Index 365 Place Names Index 369 Modern Authors Index 377