5. This sketch of the Phoenician colonies will give us some idea of the extent of their sea trade and navigation; which, however, extended much farther than their colonies. Among them, as among other nations, commerce took its rise in piracy; even as late as the time of Homer, the Phoenicians appear to have been freebooters. The principal objects of their commerce were (_a_) the settlements in north Africa and Spain; the latter more particularly, on account of its rich silver mines. (_b_) Beyond the Pillars of Hercules, the west-coast of Africa; Britain and the Scilly islands, for the purpose of procuring tin, and, very probably, amber. (_c_) From Elath and Ezion-Gebar, ports situate at the northern extremity of the Arabian gulph, they undertook, in connection with the Jews, voyages to Ophir, that is to say, to the rich lands of the south, particularly Arabia Felix and Ethiopia. (_d_) From the Persian gulf, they extended their commerce to the western peninsula of India and the island of Ceylon. Finally, (_e_) they made several extensive voyages of discovery, among which, the most remarkable was the circumnavigation of Africa. 6. Of no less importance was the land trade, mostly carried on by caravans. The principal branches of it were: (_a_) The Arabian caravan trade for spices and incense, imported from Arabia Felix, Gerra, and the Persian gulf. (_b_) The trade through Palmyra with Babylon, which opened them an indirect communication by way of Persia, with lesser Bukharia and little Thibet, probably even with China itself. (_c_) The trade with Armenia and the neighbouring countries in slaves, horses, copper utensils, etc. 7. To all this must be added their own manufactures, particularly their stuffs and dyes; (the purple, made of the juice of a marine shellfish;) their manufactures of glass and toys, which, in their commerce with uncivilized nations, generally carried on by barter, were turned to good account. Many other important discoveries, among which the invention of letters holds the first rank, are attributed to the Phoenicians. VI. _Syrians._ 1. The inhabitants of Syria dwelt in cities as early as B. C. 2000, when Abraham wandered over their country. This country did not form one single state, but consisted of several cities, each of which had its separate territory, and its chief or king; of these cities, Damascus, Hamath, etc. are mentioned in the most remote antiquity. 2. The Syrians were, however, often subjected by foreign conquerors; and their country was certainly, at least in the time of David, a Jewish province. It shook off the yoke, however, in the time of Solomon; when Rezon, who had formerly been a slave, obtained possession of Damascus.