---
title: Byblos
author: Joshua J. Mark
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Byblos/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Byblos
_Authored by [Joshua J. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/JPryst/)_
Byblos was the ancient Phoenician port [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of Gebal (called Byblos by the Greeks) on the coast of the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/) sea in what is, today, Lebanon. According to the historian Durant, “Byblos thought itself the oldest of all [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/); the [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) El had founded it at the beginning of time, and to the end of its history it remained the religious capital of [Phoenicia](https://www.worldhistory.org/phoenicia/)." Because papyrus was one of the principal articles in its [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/), the Greeks took the name of the city as their word for book - *biblos* - and from their word for books named our *[Bible](https://www.worldhistory.org/bible/)* - *ta biblia -* which means 'the books'. Byblos is among the cities listed as candidates for the distinction of 'oldest city in the world' as it has been continuously inhabited for over 7,000 years. Byblos is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
### Origins
The city began as a small fishing village called Gubal or Gebal while the coastal region of the land, which the Greeks named Phoenicia, was known to the inhabitants as [Canaan](https://www.worldhistory.org/canaan/). By 3000 BCE the little village had grown to a prosperous city through trade. The cedars of Lebanon were highly prized by other countries for use in construction, and Byblos became the single most important shipping port for timber to [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/) and elsewhere. Byblos was also the first city to perfect shipbuilding, and it is largely due to the craftsmanship of the shipwrights of Byblos that [Phoenicians](https://www.worldhistory.org/phoenicia/) acquired their fame as sailors and "princes of the sea" (as they are referred to in the biblical book of [Ezekiel](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ezekiel/)). It was primarily through trade with Egypt that Byblos grew so incredibly wealthy. The Egyptians flooded Byblos with material wealth but also with aspects of their culture and [Egyptian religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/Egyptian_Religion/).
In [Egyptian mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/Egyptian_Mythology/), Byblos is cited as the city where [Isis](https://www.worldhistory.org/isis/) located the body of her dead husband [Osiris](https://www.worldhistory.org/osiris/) in the trunk of a tree that had grown around him after his murder by his brother Set. The Phoenicians of Byblos also exported their own tales concerning [Phoenician religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/Phoenician_Religion/), and it is thought that the stories surrounding [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) in the heavens and an eternal [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) between a great god of good and another deity of evil grew out of the Phoenician myths concerning the eternal war between [Baal](https://www.worldhistory.org/baal/) (god of the sky) and [Yamm](https://www.worldhistory.org/Yamm/) (god of the sea). This myth may have come from the [Egyptian](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Egyptian/) tale of the war between Osiris' son [Horus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Horus/) and the dark god Set or transference may have gone from the Phoenicians to the Egyptians. The tale of the war in heaven related in the biblical [book of Revelation](https://www.worldhistory.org/Book_of_Revelation/) bears many similarities to both these much older myths in the same way that there are many motifs in the Bible borrowed by the scribes who wrote it from earlier tales of other cultures. So closely-knit were the ties between Egypt and Byblos that some historians and scholars have claimed that Byblos was almost an Egyptian colony.
[  Map of Phoenicia Wikipedia user Kordas, based on Alvaro's work (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/122/map-of-phoenicia/ "Map of Phoenicia")### [Amorite](https://www.worldhistory.org/amorite/), [Hyksos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hyksos/), & Phoenician Byblos
The Amorites burned the city in their invasion of 2150 BCE. After subduing the populace, they rebuilt and settled in the area. Their control of the region ended in 1725 BCE with the invasion of the Hyksos people who ruled until they were driven out by the Egyptians in 1580 BCE. The Egyptians then lay claim to the coast of Canaan.
It is during the period of Egyptian occupation that the Phoenician culture developed arguably their most important contribution to the world: their [alphabet](https://www.worldhistory.org/alphabet/) of 22 characters which replaced [cuneiform](https://www.worldhistory.org/cuneiform/) in written communication. Through trade, the Phoenician alphabet traveled first to [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/) around 800 BCE and then spread to other countries through [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) merchants.
### Decline of Byblos
Between 1100 and 725 BCE Byblos declined in importance as its sister city, [Tyre](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tyre/), grew. After the [conquest](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/) of the region by [Alexander the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexander_the_Great/), and the destruction of Tyre in 332 BCE, Byblos again prospered and became completely Hellenized, adopting [Greek culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Greek_Culture/), dress, and language. During the [Hellenistic period](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hellenistic_Period/) (330-64 BCE) Byblos became most famous for the production of papyrus which would give it its Greek name. In 64 BCE the region was conquered by the [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) general [Pompey the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/pompey/) and continued as a Roman colony from 64 BCE to 395 CE. The Romans, as usual, improved upon the city they found, ordering the streets and building large temples, [Roman baths](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Baths/), and civic gardens.
After the fall of the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/), the [Byzantine Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantine_Empire/) controlled Byblos from 395-637 CE when the Muslim Arab invaders took the region and drove the Byzantines out. Under Muslim rule, Byblos steadily declined in wealth and importance. Now known as the city of Jbail, the Muslims considered it of so little importance that they did not even bother to rebuild the defences they had destroyed in taking the city. The great port was virtually ignored for centuries and provided an easy target for invading Crusaders in 1098 CE during the [First Crusade](https://www.worldhistory.org/First_Crusade/). Once the Crusaders had been driven out, the Muslim rulers continued to neglect the city, busying themselves with rule further inland. Byblos was forgotten for centuries until the work of the French historian Ernest Renan brought the city back to light in 1860 CE.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- [Byblos](http://www.middleeast.com/byblos.htm "Byblos"), accessed 1 Dec 2016.
- [Byblos, Sidon and Tyre](http://www.phoenician.org/byblos_sidon_tyre.htm "Byblos, Sidon and Tyre"), accessed 1 Dec 2016.
- [Durant, W. *Our Oriental Heritage.* Simon & Schuster, 1954.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B00005WJGO/)
- [Miles, R. *Carthage Must Be Destroyed.* Viking Adult, 2010.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B00BXUA19Q/)
- [Worthington, I. *Alexander the Great.* Routledge, 2004.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/140580162X/)
## About the Author
Joshua J. Mark is World History Encyclopedia's co-founder and Content Director. He was previously a professor at Marist College (NY) where he taught history, philosophy, literature, and writing. He has traveled extensively and lived in Greece and Germany.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/pub/joshua-j-mark/38/614/339)
## Timeline
- **c. 4000 BCE - c. 3000 BCE**: [Trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/) contact between [Byblos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byblos/) and [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/).
- **1725 BCE**: Invasion of the [Hyksos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hyksos/).
- **1580 BCE - c. 800 BCE**: [Byblos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byblos/) liberated and occupied by the Egyptians. Phoenecian [alphabet](https://www.worldhistory.org/alphabet/) developed and spread through [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/).
- **c. 1200 BCE - c. 800 BCE**: First wave of [Phoenician colonization](https://www.worldhistory.org/Phoenician_Colonization/) where largely trading-posts are founded throughout the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/).
- **1100 BCE - 725 BCE**: Decline of [Byblos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byblos/) as the sister [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of [Tyre](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tyre/) rises in prominence.
- **c. 1000 BCE**: [Death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) of Ahiram (or Ahirom) of [Byblos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byblos/), whose sarcophagus bears the oldest inscription of the Phoenician [alphabet](https://www.worldhistory.org/alphabet/).
- **c. 800 BCE - 600 BCE**: Second stage of [Phoenician colonization](https://www.worldhistory.org/Phoenician_Colonization/) where trading-posts become full colonies throughout the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/).
- **332 BCE**: [Conquest](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/) of the [Levant](https://www.worldhistory.org/levant/) by [Alexander the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexander_the_Great/) who destroys [Tyre](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tyre/).
- **330 BCE - 64 BCE**: [Hellenistic Period](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hellenistic_Period/) in [Byblos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byblos/).
- **64 BCE**: [Byblos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byblos/) conquered by the [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) general [Pompey the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/pompey/).
- **64 BCE - 395 CE**: [Byblos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byblos/) is a colony of the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/).
- **395 CE - 637 CE**: [Byblos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byblos/) is a colony of the [Byzantine Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantine_Empire/) (formerly known as the [Eastern Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantine_Empire/)).
- **637 CE**: Muslim invasion of the [Levant](https://www.worldhistory.org/levant/). The Byzantines are driven out.
- **637 CE**: Muslim rule of [Byblos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byblos/) and surrounding region. Byblos steadily declines through neglect.
- **1098 CE**: Christian Crusaders invade [Byblos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byblos/).
- **1099 CE**: Muslim rule restored in the region. [Byblos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byblos/) continues to decline until it is forgotten.
## External Links
- [Byblos](http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/295)
- [Byblos Ancient sites, Lebanon Archeology Photos](http://www.lgic.org/en/photos2_byblos.php)
- [Lonely Planet Travel Information](https://www.lonelyplanet.com/lebanon/north-of-beirut/byblos-jbail/history)
- [Oldest City in the World: Byblos, Lebanon](https://sometimes-interesting.com/2012/04/03/oldest-city-in-the-world-byblos-lebanon/)
- [Phoenician Encyclopedia: A Bequest Unearthed, Phoenicia and the Phoenicians, Punic, Canaanites -- Encyclopedia Phoeniciana](http://phoenicia.org/index.shtml)
## Cite This Work
### APA
Mark, J. J. (2009, September 02). Byblos. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Mark, Joshua J.. "Byblos." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 02, 2009. .
### MLA
Mark, Joshua J.. "Byblos." *World History Encyclopedia*, 02 Sep 2009, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Joshua J. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/JPryst/ "User Page: Joshua J. Mark"), published on 02 September 2009. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.