The Phoenicians
Their famous cities like Tyre, Sidon, and Byblos thrived during this period, and they established trade networks across the Mediterranean.
The Phoenician cities, the most important of which were Tyre, Sidon, Beirut, and Byblos, came under Egyptian rule but were largely autonomous.
Melqart was the chief god of Tyre, while Baal reigned supreme in Sidon.
Phoenician independence ended completely in the 4th century BC when Alexander the Great besieged and destroyed Tyre.
Destroyed cities
Description: The city of Tyre, a major Phoenician port, is prophesied in the Bible to be destroyed and sunk into the sea.
Historically, Tyre was besieged by various conquerors, including Alexander the Great, who famously built a causeway to the island city.
Outcome: Tyre was partially destroyed several times, and the island city was connected to the mainland by Alexander’s causeway.
Chronological Nations and Tribes
Key Locations: Tyre [coordinates n="33.2708" e="35.1960"], Sidon [coordinates n="33.5579" e="35.3720"], Carthage [coordinates n="36.8625" e="10.3308"]
Atlantis in the Old Testament
Wealthy Nations: Isaiah prophesies against various powerful and wealthy nations, including Babylon, Assyria, Egypt, and Tyre.
Ships and Harbors: Isaiah 23 contains a prophecy against Tyre, a significant maritime city with a famous harbor.
Wealthy Nations: Ezekiel prophesies against wealthy nations like Tyre and Egypt.
Ships and Harbors: Ezekiel 27 is a lament over Tyre, depicting it as a wealthy merchant city with many ships and trade routes, ultimately facing destruction.
Destruction: Ezekiel contains prophecies of destruction against nations like Tyre, Egypt, and Jerusalem (Ezekiel 26–32).
Wealthy Nations: The book references wealthy cities like Tyre and Egypt, which are subjects of God's judgment.
Ships and Harbors: Tyre is depicted as a hub of trade with grand ships and wealthy harbors (Ezekiel 27).
Destruction: Ezekiel prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem, Tyre, and Egypt, along with the eventual restoration of Israel (Ezekiel 24-32).
Ships and Harbors: Isaiah (Tyre), Ezekiel (Tyre).
Mentions of Islands: Ezekiel refers to islands in his prophecies, particularly in the context of judgment against nations like Tyre, a significant maritime power.
Ezekiel 26:15, 18: "This is what the Sovereign Lord says to Tyre: Will not the coastlands tremble at the sound of your fall...
Ezekiel 28:13: Describes the beauty of the King of Tyre with precious stones, which some interpret as symbolic language.
Isaiah 23 (The Oracle Against Tyre): Tyre, a wealthy island city-state known for its trade and influence, could be seen as a historical counterpart to Atlantis.
The description of Tyre's eventual downfall due to its pride and reliance on wealth may echo the fate of Atlantis, suggesting a broader divine principle that no matter how powerful, all nations are subject to divine judgment.
Ezekiel 26-28 (Prophecies Against Tyre and Sidon): These chapters describe the destruction of Tyre and Sidon, wealthy coastal cities, for their arrogance and idolatry.
The Fall of Great Cities: Books like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel frequently describe the fall of great cities like Babylon and Tyre.
City Tyre
Tyre, known as Sour in Arabic, is a city in southern Lebanon on the Mediterranean coast.
Like Byblos, Tyre is one of the oldest cities in the world, with its history stretching back over 5,000 years.
Tyre was a major Phoenician city-state and played a crucial role in the spread of Phoenician culture and commerce across the Mediterranean.
Phoenician Powerhouse: Tyre was one of the most powerful and influential city-states of the Phoenician civilization.
Purple Dye Production: Tyre was famous for producing Tyrian purple, a highly prized dye made from the murex snail.
Alexander the Great: Tyre is historically significant for its resistance against Alexander the Great.
Roman Era: Under Roman rule, Tyre prospered and became a major urban center.
Christianity: Tyre played a role in the early spread of Christianity.
Al Mina Archaeological Site: This site contains remnants of ancient Tyre, including the Roman Hippodrome, which could hold up to 20,000 spectators.
The site offers insights into the urban planning and architectural prowess of the Romans in Tyre.
Tyre's Ancient Port: The port of Tyre was central to its maritime dominance.
The Cathedral of Tyre: Originally built in the 12th century by the Crusaders, the Cathedral of Tyre was an important religious site during the medieval period.
The Great Necropolis: Tyre's Great Necropolis is a significant archaeological site with hundreds of tombs dating back to the Roman and Byzantine periods.
Today, Tyre is a vibrant city that blends its rich historical past with contemporary life.
The old town of Tyre retains much of its historic charm, with narrow alleys, traditional houses, and bustling markets.
Tyre's archaeological sites are among the most significant in Lebanon, attracting scholars and tourists alike.
Tyre's enduring legacy as a center of commerce, culture, and history continues to make it an important city in the Mediterranean region.
Tyre was originally an island city, located off the coast of what is now southern Lebanon.
Island City: For much of its early history, Tyre was indeed an island, with a powerful maritime culture.
Siege by Alexander the Great: The most pivotal moment in Tyre’s history came in 332 BCE, when Alexander the Great laid siege to the city.
The island's natural defenses and strong walls made it difficult for Alexander’s forces to conquer Tyre.
This allowed his army to breach Tyre's defenses and capture the city after a seven-month siege.
Permanent Land Connection: The causeway built by Alexander gradually altered the coastal dynamics around Tyre.
This transformation turned Tyre from an island into a peninsula.
The city of Tyre now consists of the ancient city area on the former island, as well as the newer parts of the city that have developed on the mainland.
The Phoenician history
10Then he says that Hypsouranios settled Tyre and that he invented huts made of reeds, rushes, and papyrus.
Once, when there were fierce rainstorms and gales, the trees in Tyre rubbed against one another and started a fire and it burned down their woodland.
She took it up and consecrated it in Tyre, the holy island.
Islands mentioned in the Bible
Text: "Say to Tyre, situated at the gateway to the sea, merchant of peoples on many coasts, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: You say, Tyre, ‘I am perfect in beauty.’"
Connection: Tyre was a major Phoenician port city with extensive maritime connections.
The description of Tyre as a "gateway to the sea" and its trade with "many coasts" can evoke the idea of powerful, seafaring civilizations like those described in the Atlantis legend.
The Island Tarshish
"The oracle concerning Tyre.
Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is destroyed, without house or harbor!
Context: The prophet Isaiah proclaims judgment against Tyre, a prominent trading city.
The "ships of Tarshish" symbolize the merchants and trade routes that will mourn the fall of Tyre, indicating economic loss and disruption.
Context: The prophet Ezekiel addresses the city of Tyre, listing its numerous trade partners.
The antiquity of some of our great inventions
Ancient coins from Tyre depict symbols reminiscent of navigational tools, possibly indicating an understanding of the magnetic compass.