By: Cody Vogt, Dylan, Dylan, and Adam Larose
Rise of the Phoenician Empire
Around 1,200 B.C, mass starvation do to crop failure caused the previous powers such as the Egyptians and the Hittites to become weaker and lose their dominance. At this time Phoenician cities established themselves as significant powers resulting in the rise of Phoenician Empire. Several Phoenician kings made alliances with the leaders of neighboring kingdoms. An example of this is King Hiram, the second king of Tyre forging alliances with kings David and Solomon around 980 B.C. Around 854 B.C., the Phoenicians were defeated by the Assyrians, putting them back a few steps; then in the year 725 B.C., the Phoenicians defended against a 5 year naval siege from the Assyrians therefore winning the first ever naval battle, once again asserting their dominance.