The Iron Age Kingdom of Phoenicia

Key Phoenician settlements were established as early as 2,500 BCE, and these settlements are thought to have served as trade hubs for their surrounding Mesopotamia areas. Though Phoenicia continued to develop between 2,500 BCE and 539 BCE, the civilization had come under Persian rule by the close of the 5th century BCE. Scholars disagree on the scope of Phoenicia in terms of geographical spread. The issue is complicated by colonial expansion which occurred at the high point of the civilization (between 1,200 BCE and 800 BCE) (Gilboa & Sharon, 2003). The lack of extensive records concerning the geography of Phoenicia further complicates the issue.

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