The Phoenicians

    The first sea people, the Phoenicians, got their name from ‘phoinix’ which means red in the Greek language. It’s thought they were named after the expensive purple dye that they would trade. The Phoenicians were the first to invent the alphabet. Instead of using Hieroglyphics or Cuneiform, they created a much simpler version of writing. This involved the use of letters which is what we still use today. Instead of having to interpret the meaning like you did with hieroglyphics, you had a specific code that never changed with the alphabet. The reader knew exactly what it meant. The most ancient example of the alphabet writing was engraved on the sarcophagus of the Phoenician King Hiram from 13 century bc. This showed impressive organizational skills. Using this form of communication made trade much more easier and helped the Phoenicians create their trading network. 
The Phoenicians became expert traders and used their ships to buy and sell items. Every captain had to have specific skills. They had to know the seas and foreign land, how to sail, and how to trade. Life on the seas was no easy task. During storms, captains would tie themselves to the bow of their ship so they could get a better view and look out for rocks. From this position he would continue to command his ship. A typical ship was 65 feet long and 16 feet wide. The Phoenicians were thought to wear headdresses as they believed it would bring help from the gods. The specific trading routes spread across the Mediterranean. Being expert sailers, they were the only people brave enough to venture off into the Atlantic. This dangerous task was to get an important item, gold. Africa would provide the Phoenicians gold for items such as pottery and jewelry. Many thought that the Atlantic was the end of the world. They would sail from island to island to provide items to trade. This brought cultural exchange. Phoenicians were often gifted greek statues and bronze for providing trade to the people. 

Main cities where Phoenician people settled include Tyre, Sidon, Berytus, Byblos, Arvad, and Ugarit. These cities are located on the coast of what is now Lebanon today. The Phoenicians lost their independence and went under the Assyrian Empire. Assyrian officials would monitor the trade of the Phoenicians. After the fall of the Assyrian empire, the Phoenicians were passed onto the Babylonian and then Persian control. After being held under Persian control, Alexander the Great conquered them. Little by little the Phoenicians lost their identity and became more and more hellenized or mixed into the greek culture. 

Link: 

http://www.history.com/news/ask-history/who-created-the-first-alphabet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojiOLBt7q_Y

Sources: 

Gore, Rick. Who Were the Phoenicians? - National Geographic Magazine, ngm.nationalgeographic.com/features/world/asia/lebanon/phoenicians-text.html.

“Phoenicia.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, www.ancient.eu/phoenicia/.