Regev/Painting the Mediterranean, 3. The Early Networks and the Canaanite-Phoenician International Style

The Egypto-Phoenician Network - The Hittite Canaanite-Phoenician Network - The International Style of the Late Bronze Age - The Phoenician Koine of the 8th-7th Centuries BCE - The Phoenician Koine of the Hellenistic Period

In order to better understand the Phoenician trade network that grew into a far-flung commercial empire spanning three geographical zones in the Mediterranean basin and beyond, we need to turn to its earlier beginnings. In this way, we can start to trace the development of both the mechanisms and practices that facilitated its operation and the elements that contributed to the development of a recognizable Phoenician style and corpus. Two early trade networks are presented: the Egypto- Phoenician and the Hittite-Canaanite. The Egypto-Phoenician network was the earliest Canaanite- Phoenician trade network, one that laid many features used in later Phoenician trade-nets and which had a profound impact on later Phoenician styles and corpora. Rather than revolving around a geographical zone, it was based on a unique commercial and cultural bond. The Hittite-Canaanite network also contributed to Canaanite-Phoenician style and religion. The discussion of both these early networks includes a consideration of developing characteristics of Phoenician style and the various elements that typify the Phoenician corpus outside the homeland. The second part of this chapter revolves around the International Style known from the Late Bronze Age, which is called a Mediterranean koine in the Iron Age. This style continued at least to the Hellenistic period. The International Style is not recognized as a Canaanite-Phoenician phenomenon but should be; its components consist of Canaanite-Phoenician elements and other elements traded and circulated by them.