1. Lecture Notes
D. Describe early trading networks in the Eastern Mediterranean; include the impact Phoenicians had on the Mediterranean World.

2. Early Trading Networks
The Mediterranean Sea is between EUROPE and AFRICA
Early major trade group were the MINOANS who lived on an island, CRETE, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea
We get the legend of the Minotaur, King Midas’ Gold, and Atlantis
Their civilization ends around 1200bc – no one is sure why (several believe is was a volcano)

3. The Phoenicians
Located on the EAST end of the Mediterranean Sea (would be modern Syria and Israel)
Were NOT a kingdom, but a collection of cities
Were known for their skill in ship building and trade in luxury goods like – glass, purple dye, textiles
Greeks called them “purple people” – only the rich could afford the purple dye (snails!)
Gave us the basis for the modern alphabet
Established many new colonies in the Mediterranean

4. The Phoenician trade network

5. Their Legacy: the development of writing
Known as the alphabet
Why? Needed a way to record transactions in their trade
It was symbols that represented sounds
Introduced it to all their trading partners – like the Greeks – and this is how it spread.
The Greeks changed the form of some of the letters after their adoption – and would change again (Latin) and then after then: English.