The Phoenicians were an ancient Semitic-speaking civilization that emerged around 1500 BCE in the region of modern-day Lebanon, Syria, and parts of Israel. They were renowned for their maritime trade, skilled shipbuilding, and the establishment of city-states such as Tyre, Sidon, and Byblos. The Phoenicians are also credited with developing one of the earliest alphabets, which significantly influenced later writing systems, including Greek and Latin. Their extensive trade networks and cultural exchanges played a crucial role in the development of the Mediterranean world.