Although
the exact origins of Tyre are unknown, it probably
goes back to the start of the 3rd millennium BC.
Originally a mainland settlement with an island
city a short distance offshore, in the 10th century
BC King Hiram expanded the mainland and built
2 ports and a temple to Melkart, the city’s
god. Towards the end of the 6th century BC under
the reign of the Persian Darius, the city experienced
its golden age.
Its
flourishing maritime trade, its Mediterranean
and Atlantic colonies and its purple dye and
glass made Tyre very powerful and wealthy. But
the city’s wealth attracted enemies. In
the 6th century BC Alexander the Great laid
siege to it for 7 months, finally overwhelming
he island city by constructing a great causeway
from the shore to the island.
In
their day the Romans built a magnificent city
at Tyre. The remain of its Roman streets, arcades
and public buildings, including one of the largest
hippodromes of the period, are Tyre’s
major attraction today.
In 1979
Tyre’s important archaeological remains
prompted UNESCO to make the town a world heritage
site.
Although
the exact origins of Tyre are unknown, it probably
goes back to the start of the 3rd millennium BC.
Originally a mainland settlement with an island
city a short distance offshore, in the 10th century
BC King Hiram expanded the mainland and built
2 ports and a temple to Melkart, the city’s
god. Towards the end of the 6th century BC under
the reign of the Persian Darius, the city experienced
its golden age.
In
their day the Romans built a magnificent city
at Tyre. The remain of its Roman streets, arcades
and public buildings, including one of the largest
hippodromes of the period, are Tyre’s
major attraction today.
