BlackHistoryFact.com

 

TYRIAN OR PHOENICIAN CITIZENS OF ZION

 

“And the sons of Ham;Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, andCanaan.  5 AndCanaanbegatSidonhis firstborn, and Heth,” (Genesis 10:6 & 15)

Tyrewas one of the Phoenician cities which along withByblos,Sidonand laterCarthagewere most popular.  According to the historian Josephus, the Phoenicians, were a Hametic race which means they were of Black descent. This is also attested to in the Old Testament scriptures as is noted in the above verse.

Sidonwas the first son ofCanaanand grandson of Ham, father of the Black race.  He was responsible for the formation of the first city ofPhoeniciacalled Zidon.  His descendants later ruled the coastline ofPalestineand started many colonies the main one of which wasCarthage.

Tarsus, the hometown of the Apostle Paul, was also Phoenician territory.  When one considers that Paul was at times mistaken for an Egyptian (Acts21:38) this tends to suggest that Paul was a Black man.  It is obvious that Paul could not be immediately distinguished as a Jew.  This is best recognized in Paul’s emphasis that he attended school atJerusalem, sat at the feet of the great Jewish scholars, and was Hebrew of a Hebrew.  The Jewish people were surprised that the apostle spoke Hebrew on one occasion.  If Paul was a recognizable Jew, why were they surprised?  This leads to the conclusion that Paul looked like a Phoenician, who looked like Africans.

“The Phoenicians called themselves Canaanites even when Alexander tookTyreand were the first people to develop an alphabet with letters form A to Z.  The Greeks learnt the alphabet from them and called the alphabet Phoinikia grammar.

Archaeologists have discovered that the Phoenicians wore the same dress and Jewelry as their African brothers inEgyptand used the same hieroglyphic script.  Even their idols had the same facial expression.

When the body of Pharaoh Ramses was found, doctors observed traces of nicotine in his body.  This indicates that Ramses had access to tobacco.  Since it has been determined that tobacco originated in pre-ColumbianAmerica, it means the Phoenicians who were the tradesmen ofEgypt, were trading with the people ofAmericadating back before the Christian era.

The people ofTyrewere master Seamen.  They traveled the world in their ships and carried on trade with all the peoples of the world.  They were known and feared by the brothers inAfricaalong with their enemies in theCaucasoidMountainsofEurope.

WhenEuropewas inhabited by barbaric tribes and roamed by half-dressed white men, the Black inhabitants ofTyre, later to be called Phoenicians, put fear into the hearts of all maritime nations with their ships that traveled as fast as the wind.

The Phoenicians always lived on the coast and the world was their trading partner.  These Black men came and went bringing with them the greatest of the world’s goods.

The Historian Josephus writes

 

“Now the children of Ham possessed the land from Syria and Amanus, and the mountains of Libanus, seizing upon all that was on its sea coast and as far as the ocean and keeping it as their own..[1]

Many are still wondering how the Phoenicians accomplished the task of building an empire.  They were such a tiny people, yet were able to develop storehouses and hideaways that had more bounty than many kings could acquire in their lifetime.  Even their powerful Black brothers who ruledEgyptandBabyloniacould only dream of achieving some of the feat of the Phoenicians.

Tyrewas one of the strongest and most beautiful cities of the ancient world.  Hiram, in 1000 BC, constructed his palace on the sea and they called the town Zor, which means rock.  It boasted one of the greatest and safest harbors in the world and was home of the tallest and most handsome men who ever lived, rivaled only by the Ethiopians of Africa, according to the Greek Historians.

The Tyrians were shrewd and skillful merchants who by 600 BC had built trading posts all over the world.  One author writes:

 

          “On the Bosphorus, in Italy, Sicily, on the Spanish and African coasts.  They developed trading posts in ThasosCythera, Thera, CreteMelosand all Greek cities”[2]

All over the countries of theMediterraneanone could find their vessels.  They carried flasks, glass beads and glazed tiles.  There is no doubt that these Black men, were the first mass producers of consumer goods.

Herodotus describes how the Phoenicians would go to a beach, spread out their goods on the shores, then return to their ships and set a fire.  The people of the town seeing the fire would then journey to the site of the goods and there place their gold or silver.  The Phoenicians would them return to check the sum of gold.  If it was not enough to cover the cost of the goods, they would return to their ships and wait.  The buyers would keep adding gold until all were satisfied, them the goods would be touched and the gold would be taken.

The Phoenicians were not always honest in their dealings with everyone as can be ascertained from the following passage.

 

          “As they traveled the world, they discovered new goods and services.  They found in Spainthe rich silver mines of the Sierra Morena which were worked by the indigenous Iberians.  Diodorus Siculus, a rather superficial Greek Historiographer, relates that these men were so ignorant, that they did not know what to do with the precious metal until the Phoenicians on their trading voyages offered them small amounts of their goods for the silver.” [3]

The Phoenicians are believed to have visitedAmericaand many other places in the early AD, but many American scholars are afraid to investigate the facts.  It appears that the last thing certain scholars would like to admit, is that a Black nation crossed the Atlantic Ocean and discovered America, long before any white man had learned how to handle a ship properly.  Ivan Van Sertima in his book "They came beforeColumbus," argues that coins fromCyreneandCarthagewere discovered inAmericain an American village along with hundreds of inscription of the Phoenician alphabet.  He also asserts that Phoenicians artifacts were found inPennsylvaniaandNew York, yet American scientists and geologist have refused to look at the inscriptions because they refuse to acknowledge the Phoenicians came here beforeColumbus.

It is interesting to note that in the white societies, the Phoenicians developed separate communities and trading post.  While inAfricathey found lodgings in ordinary housings, developing inMemphisa district called the Tyrian quarters.

 

          “Thus in 600 BC the Phoenicians build a trading station on Ibiza; a little earlier they were already installed in Maltaand the neighboring Islandof Goxo. We know that there were at least three Phoenician settlements in Sicily, at Motya, Panormus and Soloeis, all on the northern tip of the island.”[4]

 

          “In 1972 Phoenicians graves of the seventh Century BC were also discovered near Mozia, on the west coast of Sicily, in accordance with Thucydides account stating that he Tyrians had more or less had the whole island in their power....Now archeologist backs this up.” [5]

 

          “They circled the continent of Africabefore the Portuguese, a feat so impressive that when the Portuguese achieved it some years after they were regarded as the greatest sailors ever.” [6]

 

          “Their agents stood as counselors behind the thrones of Egypt, whispered advice into the ears of Assyrian, Babylonian and Persian Kings....Wherever one went it seemed impossible to shake them”[7]

They were ingenious trader and topnotch engineers.  They had very little to trade, but made the most of what they had, building it out to the natural resources they found around them.  One of their greatest achievements was sand.  They realized in contained quartz and they were able to develop the making of glass, a secret many believe they stole from their brothers inEgypt.  They also managed to use the small warm-water snail found on their beaches to produce purple dye, for which they became famous.

The nation ofTyre, because it was built on a rock in the ocean, had no springs and the people could not dig wells.  They were totally dependent on rain water which was probably undrinkable during the long summers.  According to the Historian Strabo they captured springs that gushed out of the sea bed.  From their boats they laid down turned funnel over the freshwater sources in the salt water so that the waters were driven upwards by its own pressure and could be caught.

The Phoenicians mastered the art of shipbuilding, sailing and the development of Astronomy.  With the help of Pharaoh and their Black brothers inEgypt, they even built the firstSuez Canal.

When David decided to build thetempleofYahweh, it was to the Phoenicians that he turned.  The Phoenicians supplied the lumber, workmen and all the expertise that was needed for the finishing of this magnificent structure.  Solomon, David’s Black son, was later to invest jointly with the Phoenicians in silver mining, a venture some prophets ofIsraelresented; due to the fact the Phoenicians would at times encourage the breaking of the Sabbath for the purpose of financial gain.  This would later lead to the punishment of the Phoenicians by God himself.

According to the Old Testament book of Ezekiel, no one could sing like the sons ofTyre. Traders in purple and gold, they were epiphany of GQ himself, sharpest dresser of their time, and obsessed with their beauty and riches.

 

          “ 28:2 Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyre, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the  seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though  thou set thine heart as the heart of God:

           28:3 Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can  hide from thee:  28:4 With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee  riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures:  28:5 By thy great wisdom and by thy traffic hast thou increased thy riches,  and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches.”(Ezekiel 28:2-5)

Phoeniciastarted as a free and independent nation.  Like all the nations ofPalestinehowever,Phoeniciabecame subject to the various other powers that ruled this area of the world.  The most powerful of the neighbors ofPhoeniciawasEgypt, one of the first major empires.  This African nation seems to have exerted a powerful influence overPhoeniciauntil the coming of the Hittites.  Thutmose III Pharaoh ofEgyptwrites

 

          “Every year real cedars of Lebanon are fell for me and brought to my court... When my army returns, they bring as tribute the cedars of my victory, which I have won according to the designs of my father, who has entrusted all foreign lands to me. I have left none for the Asiatic,”[8]

According to the Grolier Electronic Encyclopedia,Phoeniciabecomes a dominant world power free ofEgyptwith the coming of the Hittites.  The Egyptian kings were too taken up with their own problems to protect their vassal states, so thelandofPhoeniciawas born.  This was sealed when Ramses II and Khkattushilish III signed a treaty and Ramses accepts Khkattushilish III daughter for a wife. From now onCanaanisPhoenicia.

WhenAssyriawas the dominant power the Phoenicians did not accept it as calmly as they did Egyptian ruler-ship.  They appeared to have resented Asian rule.  The constant fighting weakened the Phoenicians however, and they regained their strength only when the Black brothers ofBabyloniadefeated the Assyrians and destroyedNinevehin 612 BC. Phoeniciaagain became a dominant nation.

Nebuchadnezzar, king ofBabylon, tried with his massive well-trained army to takeTyre, but could not take the city.  The Phoenicians were smart and mysterious and “wiser than the biblical prophet Daniel” so eventually Nebuchadnezzar abandoned his task.

 

          “Nebuchadnezzar tried to take Tyre.” For thirteen years, from 585 to 572 BC, the largest army of the day lay before a tiny Islandfortress and was unable to take it.” [9]

The Tyrians, getting their supplies by sea, countered each assault, defeated every attempt to build a dam and bore with incredible staunchness the inevitable hardship of the siege.”[10]

With the downfall of the Babylonian Empire came Cyrus II and the Persians.  The Persians were badly in need of the ships of the Phoenicians to control the Mediterranean basin and conquerEgypt.  This task was impossible without the aid of the Phoenicians.  A treaty was signed with the Phoenicians that made themPersiaallies.  Cambyses then attackedEgyptin 525 BC withPhoeniciaas a reluctant partner.  The men ofTyrewere uneasy about attacking their Black brothers inEgypt.  Cambyses’ next move was an attackCarthage.  This idea was abandoned when the Tyrians made it clear they would not attack their brothers in the Phoenician city ofCarthage.

With the fall ofPersiacame a new power, Hellenism. As the Persians battled the Greeks who were rebelling against their rule, it was the Phoenicians who paved the way for the fighting at Sea. They were the only sailors capable of defeating the Greeks who themselves, according to Josephus, had Black roots and seemed to have inherited the ability to be master seamen.

The Phoenicians were the stars at sea.  This resulted in the Greeks hating the Phoenicians.  The men ofGreecemade a decisive effort to destroy all record ofPhoenicia.  The rumor was also spread that the Phoenicians were a greedy people who sold out their brothers to the Persians.  Eventually afterTyrewas destroyed by Alexander the Great,Carthagethe new stronghold of the Phoenicians was hated by both Romans and Greeks.

In attempting to conquer the world, Alexander on His way toEgypt, must pass the Phoenician cities of Aradus,Byblos, Berytus,SidonandTyre.  AtTyrehe requested co-operation with his army receiving acceptance from every city butTyre. Tyrerejected his request thinking he was no threat to their invincible navy and well-fortified city.  They were also not sure who would eventually become the dominant world power, Alexander or Darius.

Alexander then met with His army to apprise them of the situation, these were his words.

 

          “Friends and fellow soldiers, I do not see how we can safely advance upon Egypt, so long as Persia controls the sea; and to pursue Darius with the neutral city of Tyre in our rear and Egypt and Cyprus still in  enemy hands would be a serious risk, especially in view of the situation in Greece. With our army on the track of Darius, far inland in the direction of Babylon, the Persians might well regain control of the coast, and thus be enabled with more power behind them to transfer the war to Greece, where Sparta is already openly hostile to us, and at the moment but a unwilling ally; fear, not friendliness keeping her on our side.  But with Tyredestroyed, all Phoeniciawould be ours, and the Phoenician fleet, which both in numbers and quality is the predominant element in the sea power of Persia, would very likely come over to us.  The Phoenician seamen, ships crews or fighting men, once their towns are in our hands, will hardly endure to face the perils of service at sea for the sake of others.  ...And with the united fleets of Macedoniaand Phoenicia, our supremacy at sea would be guaranteed, and the expedition to Egyptwould thus be a simple matter, and finally with Egyptin our hands we shall have no further cause for uneasiness about Greece.  We shall be able to march on Babylonwith security at home, with enhanced prestige, and with Persiaexcluded not only from the sea, but from the whole continent up to the Euphrates.”[11]

Alexander had a tremendous task.  Great armies had tried it before him and failed.  The Tyrian fleet was strong and unbeatable at sea, especially withPersiastill in the picture.  Furthermore the island was surrounded by strong and lofty walls.

The plan was laid to construct a path across the water to the city with the many rocks which were lying around.  This they hoped would allow the heavy machinery to be brought close to the city walls in an attempt to create a breach.

When the work began, Alexander walked and inspected the work himself, giving praises to his men and special reward for good work.

Before long the ramp came within the range of the missiles from the city, and the Tyrians made constant raids on various points along the path making the work impossible.  The Macedonians then mounted their heavy artillery equipment on the ram built thus far in an attempt to protect the workers and continue the work as best they could.

The Tyrians responded by setting a ship on fire and sailing it into the ramp.  When the ramp began to burn they came out and set fire to every piece of machinery.  This made Alexander furious, and more determined than ever to take the city. 

Alexander ordered the work resumed and made the ramp much wider to give more artillery support.  The engineers were ordered to construct fresh engines while one General journeyed toSidonto muster as many ships as could be found.  It had dawn upon the Macedonians that without the help of the other Phoenician cities, they were no match for the tiny city ofTyre.

Alexander was lucky to gather a multitude of Vessels fromCyprus, Soli,Sidon, Aradus andBybloswho decided to side with Alexander realizing that Darius had lost atIssus.

With the coming of the ships, the Tyrians threw blocks of stones into the harbor so the ships find no safe passage to the city.  When a ship did make it through the dangerous path, the Tyrians responded with an array of fire making all the ship captains opposed to attacking the city by sea for fear of the destruction of their vessels.

As Alexander’s men tried to finish the ramp, the Tyrians kept attacking and destroying ships.  Alexander soon blockaded the harbor with his ships to keep them from attacking his ramp, but the Tyrians sent divers out to cut the ship’s anchors.  The Macedonians then used chains to moor their ships and proceeded to remove the many stones cast into the harbor by the Tyrians.  The Tyrians then attacked and destroyed many of the squadrons including those which were blockading their city.  The remaining squadrons which were not destroyed were driven ashore.  This infuriated Alexander and made him more determined to capture this Black city.

After many months, the ramp was finally completed and the bombardment of the city began.  Alexander took one garrison and attacked the city from one direction while the men on the ramp did the same.  A breach was finally made and ship loads of men were brought in with backup fire to protect them.  Alexander himself led the way through the breach, and fierce fighting ensued.  Note the following words:

 

          “The Tyrians made Alexander pay for every square foot of ground with streams of blood, but the King’s punch paid off.  Away from the water his opponents were like birds with their wings torn off, or magicians bereft of their magic hats. Now they had only the ordinary strength of ordinary men, and it was not enough”[12]

 

          “Alexander was not only taking a town, but he was also destroying a myth and must have been fully conscious of the fact....He made a hideous example of Tyre. Crosses were hewn for two thousand male citizens, and set up along the shores of the island.  Thirty thousand women, children and older people were sold into slavery.”[13]

The slaughter was terrible.  The Macedonians who had besieged the city for seven years acted as savages.  8,000 men were slaughtered and some 30,000 sold into slavery. It was the end of another great Black empire.

Alexander had one thing on his side, destiny.  God had said he would eventually rule the world.  Hundreds of years before his birth it was ordained that the Tyrians, because of their proud heart, would be destroyed, and another Black race would look on and realize the tragedy of not following Yahweh and would be sorrowful and repent.  Had it not been for God’s divine prediction, it might have been that Alexander would never have takenTyre.  Consider the following passage.

 

          “3  And Tyrus did build herself a stronghold, and   heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets.   4 Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be   devoured with fire. 5Ashkelonshall see it, and fear;Gazaalso shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish fromGaza, andAshkelonshall not be inhabited.”(Zechariah 9:3-6).

Thus because of their proud and arrogant heart, God brought judgment upon the men ofTyre.  According to the Sons of Korah however, when one gets to the city ofZion, the Tyrians will be represented there, “BLACK CITIZENS OFZION