A few of my favorite things: Phoenicia and Modern Lebanon
Current attitudes towards Phoenician civilization range from the infinitely impressed to the thoroughly disgusted. As always, there are the exotic worshipers, especially among historians, who are predisposed to admire whatever is strong and who feel more attracted to the might of Phoenicia than to the subtlety of Lebanon.
At the same time, there is a solid body of opinion that dislikes Phoenicia. For many, Phoenicia did not exist and Lebanon has no history, despite the fact that Lebanon was built on the ruins of Phoenicia. Old temples transformed into churches can testify to this, and it necessarily implies that Lebanon is home to one of the oldest Semitic civilizations, the Phoenician Civilization.
Originally, the Canaanites, or Phoenicians, gave the world an alphabet system from which we evolved and built our current alphabets for thousands of years. They also supplied the dye used to adorn the world’s most famous emperors, kings, and aristocracy. They have, however, left numerous legacies and a complex cultural footprint in the Levant.
They have survived the conquests of all their neighbors over the centuries, including Egypt, Persia, Greece, Rome, and the Ottoman Empire, and have developed a distinct indestructible identity defined by their ancestors as Canaanites, Phoenicians, and modern Lebanese.
Therefore, Lebanon is the best imitator and the continuator of Phoenicia on a larger scale. One cannot help but admire both cultures.
Closing thoughts
Lebanon is home to one of the oldest Semitic civilizations, the Phoenician Civilization. The Canaanites gave the world an alphabet system from which we evolved our current alphabets. On a larger scale, Lebanon is the best imitator and continuator of Phoenicia.
