Why didn't the Phoenicians begin to colonize?

Answer 1

The Phoenicians initially focused on trade and commerce rather than colonization due to their small homeland in present-day Lebanon, which limited agricultural capacity. Their expertise in seafaring and navigation led them to establish trade networks across the Mediterranean, facilitating economic expansion without the need for settlement. Additionally, their city-states were often politically fragmented, making large-scale colonization efforts challenging. As their trade routes expanded, they eventually established colonies, but this was a gradual process rather than an immediate focus.