Page:History of Art in Phœnicia and Its Dependencies Vol 1.djvu/45

 ORIGIN OF THE PHOENICIANS. in its dependent valleys, that the mysteries of Astarte and Adonis were celebrated, as well as the licentious rites of Tammouz, which were so popular in Syria throughout the Grseco-Roman period. Finally we come to the Phoenician community par excellence, that of Tyre and Sidon, the southernmost of all. We there find the peculiar genius of the race at its greatest development, its taste for trade and industry, its love of maritime adventure, its readiness to accommodate itself to new conditions, its marvellous skill in opening relations with the most savage tribes and in implanting new wants in their breasts. In all that we shall have to say of the FIG. 7. The walls of Arvacl. From Rcnnn. rapid expansion of Phoenicia and of the influence it exercised over the peoples of the west, we must be understood to speak of these two great cities, and especially of Tyre. The other Phoenician cities may have supplied sailors for the Tynan ships and cargoes for their holds, 1 but it was Sidon first, and then, with increased decision and enterprise, it was Tyre, that took the initiative and 1 Addressing Tyre, EZEKIEL says (xxvii. 8): ''The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners : thy wise men, O Tyrus, that were in thee, were thy pilots," which confirms what we say as to the division of the work. Tyre recruited her marine along the whole coast, but she herself furnished it with officers. VO1. I. !;