Les phéniciens: Une civilisation méditerrannéenne

by Corinne Bonnet, Elodie Guillon, Fabio Porzia

Venus de Byblos, Tyr ou Sidon, terres exigües adossées aux montagnes du Liban, les Phéniciens, peuple de marins, de bâtisseurs et de marchands, ont profondément marqué les rivages de la Méditerranée antique et, au-delà, la culture occidentale. Entre 1200 et 300 avant notre ère, les Phéniciens saisissent toutes les opportunités pour contourner la domination des grands empires et tisser une vaste toile de connexions. Ils exploitent les mines de cuivre ou de fer, font commerce de vin, d'huile, d'ambre, d'épices, de parfums, d'ébène ou de bois de cèdre, échangent avec les élites locales, diffusent leur propre alphabet, influencent les arts et créent des comptoirs éphémères comme des cités prestigieuses, dont la sublime Carthage. Des rivages du Proche-Orient aux portes de l'Atlantique, cette brillante civilisation millénaire continue d'interroger les historiens.

288 pages, Pocket Book

First published January 1, 2020

Reviews

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

[...] Liban, le pays qui, en tout premier lieu, revendique cet héritage.

Being from Lebanon, the Phoenicians hold a special place in my readings and reflections. I approached this book like a miner searching for gold, hoping to find pieces of myself buried in the past and to emerge richer with a greater understanding of my heritage. However, linking Phoenician culture to contemporary identity is no easy feat. The Phoenicians remain one of the most misunderstood civilizations in history, with scarce physical remnants, a wealth of myths surrounding them, and historical rivalries that have obscured their story. Despite their profound contributions, they are often overlooked in the grand narratives of antiquity.

This book seeks to transcend these misunderstandings. It underscores the Phoenicians' distinct role as intermediaries between the ancient Near East and the broader Mediterranean world. Their identity, shaped by both land and sea, reflects a civilization adept at bridging cultures. The book delves into their remarkable achievements—from the expansive trade networks that connected the Levant to the Atlantic, to their innovations in metallurgy and shipbuilding, and, most famously, their creation and dissemination of the alphabet, which laid the foundation for many modern scripts.

On a personal level, I discovered many parallels between the life of Phoenicians in antiquity and contemporary Lebanese society. The Phoenicians’ geography, nestled between sea and mountains, undoubtedly shaped their adaptive, entrepreneurial, and outward-looking spirit—a spirit that persists in Lebanon today. Additionally, shared genetics and lineage link modern Lebanese people to their Phoenician ancestors, as some genetic studies suggest a continuity with the Canaanite-Phoenician population of antiquity.

While the language spoken in Lebanon today, Arabic, bears no direct linguistic link to Phoenician, both are Semitic languages, and some claim that fragments of Phoenician vocabulary and cultural concepts may endure in local dialects and traditions. This idea, while speculative, adds another layer to the connection between the ancient and modern inhabitants of the region.

Ultimately, this book not only sheds light on the unique identity of the Phoenicians but also invites reflection on the enduring influence of geography, history, and culture on identity. For anyone interested in exploring the fascinating legacy of the Phoenicians and their ties to the Mediterranean world—and perhaps even to themselves—this book is a treasure trove of insight.

[Francesco Pio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ultimamente do voti sempre alti, ma "ce vò". Il testo è introduttivo, delineando le linee guida per uno studio più approfondito da fare in un secondo momento con l'apposita bibliografia posta a fine libro. I tre autori descrivono la produzione artigianale, agricola e le rotte commerciali fenicie. Interessante ricordare che girano molti stereotipi sui Fenici che qui vengono affrontati con professionalità. Ottimo per chi vuole approcciare il mondo levantino.

[Jacopo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pour spécialistes, pas d'illustrations

[Pete Missingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second edition, the first published some 15 years ago. The book deals primarily with the Phoenicians in their homelands although Carthage and other centres are lightly sketched. Conventionally, the homeland Phoenicians are usually considerded as finishing in circa 330bc but here their history is traced through to the Romans. The section, Da Arwad a Ashkelon, travels systematically from north to south listing the main excavations and their archaeologists giving the view from 30,000 feet with the occasional risk of losing the reader completely. Several maps would have been useful here. For me though, the best chapter was probably the last, L'artigianato e la cultura materiale, where finally the author has concrete objects to describe. The authors also make a passing reference to Becky Martin's book, The Art of Contact, which sounds well worth a read too.