Tyre (Lebanon)
History
Tyre, known as Sour in Arabic, is a city in the South Governorate of Lebanon. The city has a rich and complex history, dating back to approximately 2750 BC. It was originally a walled city that was an island, but over time, the action of the sea and accumulated silt have connected it to the mainland.
The city was founded by the Phoenicians, an ancient seafaring people who established a number of city-states along the coast of the Mediterranean. Tyre was one of the most important of these city-states, known for its production of a particular type of purple dye, known as Tyrian purple, which was made from the murex shellfish. This dye was highly prized in the ancient world and was a major source of wealth for the city.
Tyre was also known for its skilled sailors and its powerful navy. The city had two harbors, one on the north side and one on the south. The northern harbor was known as the "Egyptian Harbor" because it faced Egypt, while the southern harbor was known as the "Sidonian Harbor" because it faced the city of Sidon, another important Phoenician city-state.
In the 10th century BC, Tyre was a prosperous and independent city-state. However, it was conquered by the Assyrians in the 8th century BC, and then by the Babylonians in the 6th century BC. Despite these conquests, Tyre continued to be a major center of trade and industry.
Roman Period
In the 4th century BC, Tyre came under the control of Alexander the Great, who besieged the city for seven months before finally capturing it. After Alexander's death, Tyre became part of the Seleucid Empire, and then the Roman Empire in the 1st century BC.
Under Roman rule, Tyre continued to be a major commercial center. The city was known for its glassware and textiles, as well as its purple dye. The Romans also built a number of public buildings in Tyre, including a hippodrome, a theatre, and a network of roads and aqueducts.
In the 4th century AD, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, and Tyre became a center of Christian activity. The city was the seat of a bishop and had a number of churches and monasteries.
Byzantine and Islamic Periods
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD, Tyre became part of the Byzantine Empire. The city continued to be a center of Christian activity, and was also known for its schools of philosophy and medicine.
In the 7th century AD, Tyre was conquered by the Muslim Arabs, who incorporated it into the Umayyad Caliphate. Under Islamic rule, Tyre continued to be a major commercial center. The city was known for its shipbuilding industry, and was a major port for the trade between the Islamic world and Europe.
In the 12th century, Tyre was captured by the Crusaders, who made it one of the four principal cities of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. The city was fortified with a strong wall and a castle, and became a major center of the sugar trade.
Ottoman Period and Modern Times
In the 13th century, Tyre was recaptured by the Mamluks, and then came under the control of the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century. Under Ottoman rule, Tyre was a relatively small and unimportant city.
In the 20th century, Tyre experienced a period of growth and development. The city's population increased, and a number of new buildings were constructed. Today, Tyre is a vibrant city with a rich cultural heritage. The city's ancient ruins are a major tourist attraction, and its old city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.