Ancient Greece and Phoenicia: Trade and Society
Greece and Phoenicia
A significant difference between these civilizations is their size and independence, particularly in Phoenicia, which might seem like a step back evolutionarily. Phoenicia consisted of about 10 to 15 independent city-states, while Greece had around 200. They did not have great kings; instead, they were ruled by an aristocracy. The key to these cities is commerce. Around 1000 to 900 BC, they were located in areas with the most trade in the eastern Mediterranean Sea: the east coast and all of Greece (north), Turkey (Ionia), Lebanon, and the Lebanese coast of Israel.
Turkey (Ionia) was very important for Greece, hosting the first cities like Ephesus, Miletus, and Athens. From 1200 BC or earlier, there were invasions from northern peoples (Indo-Europeans), characterized by having the same linguistic root, Sanskrit. They settled on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and also interacted with the hydraulic empires.
The Ionians are central to this revolution (they were in Athens). The land consisted of small farms, dry valleys, and steep terrain. They practiced agriculture and livestock farming, but it barely sustained them, leading to struggle. The sea was not conducive to agriculture but was ideal for fishing and boating (sea and trade). The Greeks traded with the north, and the Phoenicians were merchants in the south. Initially, there was piracy, but from 1000 BC, they became traders. Colonies were established in Spain, Italy, France, and other places. The term “Magna Graecia” refers to southern Italy, which was filled with Greek colonies. This designation was made by the Romans; the Greeks called themselves Hellenes. Despite continued struggles, this is considered one of humanity’s most splendid periods, later emulated during the Renaissance.
Greek Gods
Among the Greek gods, Zeus is the most important. This concept originates from mythology and astronomy in Egypt.
Cronus, the god of time, was married to Rhea and was the father of Zeus. A prophet warned Cronus that he would have a son who would dethrone him. Therefore, he killed and ate all his children (time destroys the gods), but Rhea saved one (Zeus). Zeus was hidden in a cave and nursed by a goat, Amalthea. When he grew up, he killed Cronus, who remained in hell, practically dead, unable to return to the world of the living. Before his father’s death, Zeus brought back his brothers who had been devoured, from his father’s gut. Zeus’s (sky) brothers were Poseidon (sea) and Hades (underworld).
Among the Greek goddesses, Athena (Minerva) is particularly remarkable because she helps us understand many aspects of this culture. Athena is the goddess of victory, depicted with a helmet, shield, and spear. She is also the goddess of intelligence. Born from the head of Zeus, she is inspired by the Egyptian goddess Tanit. She gives her name to Athens, and Pericles commissioned a gold statue of her (Phidias).
Democracy and Greek Innovations
Democracy is another invention of the Greeks. All Athenian citizens were eligible to vote for their leaders, rulers, and tyrants, except for women, foreigners, and slaves. However, there was a royalist city, Sparta. Greek philosophy is based primarily on the fear of death.
The Greek city-states were called poleis, representing an entirely new civilization that emerged from trade and the alphabet. Money is also a Greek invention. It first appeared in Lydia (Ionia) in the 7th century BC with the first coins, and the idea spread rapidly. Eventually, independent banks contributed to the collapse of the Roman Empire due to their malfunction. The Jews were also involved in lending money.