Phoenicia

Phoenicia is a small state located in Lebanon. They are an absolute monarchy. The biggest city is Tyre, which is also an important trade center for the Mediterranean.

Politics and Diplomacy
Phoenicia, as already mentioned, is absolute monarchy. Their king is an important figure and dictates all matters of trade, diplomacy and military, the latter further strengthening the ruler.

The diplomacy of Phoenicia is certainly complicated and dynamic. As for the moment they are part of “The Golden League”, have positive or neutral relations with most of the Mediterranean, are at war with Bananarama. The Phoenicians don’t have to pick between the stick or the pen - they have both. Their military is capable of protecting the interest of the state and can easily strike against any enemy that threatens the kingdom. But the Phoenicians also trade with multiple nations and seem to prefer diplomatic solutions rather than using brute force. Being able to strike against any rivals and making friends across the sea, the Phoenicians can easily project their will across the Mediterranean.

Culture
The Phoenicians have rich culture, perhaps shaped by their various voyages to distant lands.

Their language is called “The Phoenician Arabic”, which indicates it’s connection to the languages of various tribes living in the Arabian peninsula. But the language is once again influenced by many different other ones, which just makes it richer.

Speaking of the different influences on Phoenicia, it must be mentioned that they happened because of the core of the average Phoenician - the curiosity. Every Phoenician is curious and wants to explore the world, no matter how. Everyone is willing to sail across the sea, make living through trade and just see what every culture has to offer.

But the Phoenicians aren’t just curious, they’re charismatic and always keep an open mind, which makes them better at trading and diplomacy.

History
The Phoenicians are independent group of people that probably came from northern Africa. They settled in modern Lebanon and started interacting with the locals. But because of their numbers they weren’t assimilated by the Arabs and managed to survive. Around 10,000BC the first Phoenician city was founded - the city of Tyre, the greatest city of the Mediterranean called by some. Then the Phoenicians started sailing and trading, slowly building a monopoly.

When the Great Bronze Embargo happened, they supported Bananarama, but that was temporary. In the end the Phoenicians chose to gain more power and betrayed the Bananaramanians by siding with the Mongolians. Eventually they won the Great Bananaramanian War and their power just grew.