Phoenicia was a great and highly influential ancient civilization that originated in the Eastern Mediterranean. Scholars generally agree that it included the coastal areas of today's Lebanon, northern Israel and southern Syria reaching as far north as Arwad. Phoenician civilization spread across the Mediterranean between 1500 BC and 300 BC. Phoenician colonies reached the Western Mediterranean, most notably Carthage, and even the Atlantic Ocean. Phoenician writing became one of the most widely used writing systems, spread by Phoenician merchants across the Mediterranean world, where it evolved and was assimilated by many other cultures. Contents: The Land Climate and Productions The People—origin and Characteristics The Cities The Colonies Architecture Aethetic Art Industrial Art and Manufactures Ships, Navigation, and Commerce Mining Religion Dress, Ornaments, and Social Habits Phoenician Writing, Language, and Literature Political History Phoenicia, Before the Establishment of the Hegemony of Tyre. Phoenicia Under the Hegemony of Tyre Phoenicia During the Period of Its Subjection to Assyria Phoenicia During Its Struggles With Babylon and Egypt Phoenicia Under the Persians Phoenicia in the Time of Alexander the Great Phoenicia Under the Greeks Phoenicia Under the Romans