People of the ancient civilization of Phoenicia, a collection of city-states located on the Mediterranean Sea, where Syria and Lebanon now exist. The Phoenicians are famous as early ship-builders and sailors and are credited for the development of the first alphabet.

Seafaring traders of the Old World who settled throughout the eastern Mediterranean realm, the PHOENICIANS invented the Latin alphabet by employing Ogamic vowel rules from the ARMORICANS with a graphical method of communication from Middle Eastern kingdoms. Traders in indigo and other unique items of value, the PHOENICIANS also visited the ATLANTEAN CONTINENT wherein evidence of their visit are found in discovered amphora jugs near Honduras and Brazil. See ALPHABET and ARMORICANS.

Seafaring civilization located on the shores of the eastern Mediterranean; established colonies throughout the Mediterranean. (p. 48)