They established trade routes around the Mediterranean, even going as far as Cornwall to trade for tin. And the established naval power to protect this trade from pirates and other competitors/predators.
The Phoenicians were the group that lived in Canaan; skilled sailors and traders were among them.
The Phoenicians became a seagoing people in order to trade. After a great loss of citizen soldiers in Sicily in 480 BCE, they thereafter hired infantry from other peoples and concentrated their own people in maritime efforts.
They need to so they can transport others :)
The ancient Phoenicians are known to have adopted navigation techniques that involved using the sun and stars, likely influenced by earlier maritime cultures such as the Minoans. As skilled sailors and traders, the Phoenicians expanded upon these methods to navigate the Mediterranean and beyond. Their advancements in navigation, combined with their extensive trade networks, allowed them to become renowned seafarers in the ancient world.
The Phoenicians were surrounded by water, so they became skilled at traveling by sea.
Sailors were often skilled in navigating ships, handling complex sailing equipment, and working long hours at sea. They were known for their resilience in harsh weather conditions, adaptability to various tasks and roles on board, and camaraderie with fellow crew members. Additionally, sailors were typically disciplined, following strict routines and protocols to ensure the safety and efficiency of their voyages.
They were not forced - they fould it was a great source of revenue and prosperity, and engaged in it very willingly for that reason.
That would be the very ancient Phoenicians (1550 BC-300 BC).See the related Wikipedia link listed below for more information:
The Phoenicians' access to the Mediterranean Sea and their location along important trade routes allowed them to become skilled sailors and traders. Their lack of natural resources encouraged them to establish trading networks to acquire materials like timber, metals, and dyes, which they then traded for profit. This geographical position contributed to the development of a prosperous mercantile economy based on maritime trade.
We are often told that the Phoenicians invented the alphabet. Regardless of who put pen to papyrus to create it, the Phoenician contribution was none-the-less major and critical. They were the major sea-traders of the Mediterranean, and they went everywhere. When the Phoenicians began using the alphabet as a simple and easy way to keep track of their trades, it was exposed to everyone. Also they show the other countries that ships could travel around the globe trading important commodities. Phoenician mariners sailed to Mediterranean and southwestern European ports. The Phoenicians were the great merchants of ancient times. They sold rich treasures from many lands.
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The Phoenicians' location along the Mediterranean Sea allowed them to become skilled sailors and traders, leading to their reputation as successful merchants. Their access to natural resources such as timber from the nearby mountains enabled them to build strong ships, while their network of coastal cities facilitated trade and cultural exchange with other civilizations. The mountainous terrain of their homeland also provided natural defense against invading forces.