--- title: Map of the Phoenician Expansion c. 11 - 6 centuries BCE author: Simeon Netchev source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14796/map-of-the-phoenician-expansion-c-11---6-centuries/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) updated: 2025-11-27 --- # Map of the Phoenician Expansion c. 11 - 6 centuries BCE _Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_ ## Image File [![Map of the Phoenician Expansion c. 11 - 6 centuries BCE](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14796.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14796.png) ## Image Caption The Phoenician expansion between the 11th and 6th centuries BCE grew out of the maritime [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of the [Levant](https://www.worldhistory.org/levant/)—most notably [Tyre](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tyre/), [Sidon](https://www.worldhistory.org/sidon/), and [Byblos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byblos/), whose skilled sailors and merchants created one of the ancient [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/)’s most dynamic trading networks. As these [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/)-states developed advanced shipbuilding and navigational techniques, they extended their commercial reach across [Cyprus](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyprus/), the [Aegean](https://www.worldhistory.org/aegean/), North [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/), and the western Mediterranean. Their [economy](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/economy/) flourished through the exchange of timber, purple dye, metalwork, glass, and luxury goods, linking Near Eastern markets with [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/), [Egyptian](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Egyptian/), and Anatolian spheres. Over time, this commercial web evolved into a pattern of settlement and [colonization](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/colonization/). From the 10th century BCE onward, Phoenician communities established outposts and later urban colonies,most famously [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/) (traditionally founded c. 814 BCE, during the reign of Pygmalion of Tyre,) along the coasts of North Africa, [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/), Sardinia, and the Iberian Peninsula. These colonies served as staging points for [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/), cultural exchange, and resource extraction, helping Phoenician influence span thousands of kilometers. By the 6th century BCE, shifting regional powers, including the [Neo-Assyrian Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Neo-Assyrian_Empire/) (c. 911–609 BCE) and the Neo-Babylonian [Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) (reign of [Nebuchadnezzar II](https://www.worldhistory.org/Nebuchadnezzar_II/), 605–562 BCE), gradually curtailed Phoenician independence in the Levant. Yet their colonies continued to thrive, carrying forward Phoenician language, [religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/religion/), and commercial practices long after the homeland fell under imperial domination. #### Editorial Review This human-authored image 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/). ## About the Author Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past. - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Netchev, S. (2021, November 09). Map of the Phoenician Expansion c. 11 - 6 centuries BCE. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Phoenician Expansion c. 11 - 6 centuries BCE." *World History Encyclopedia*, November 09, 2021. . ### MLA Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Phoenician Expansion c. 11 - 6 centuries BCE." *World History Encyclopedia*, 09 Nov 2021, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 09 November 2021. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. 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.