Algo más que mercaderes. Economía, conflictos e identidad en los inicios de la colonización fenicia de la península Ibérica (Thesis)

Abstract The main purpose of this dissertation is to describe the economic aspects at the beginning of the Phoenician colonization across the Iberian Peninsula. These mercantile characteristics are connected with the primary sector and include agriculture, cattle or fishing, among others. Equally, this starting point is useful to investigate the nature of the relationship between settlers and the indigenous communitiesin Southern Iberia, which would finally end up being called Tartessos. In order to fulfil the goal, I check the original ancient documents about this subject and, at the same time, I evaluate the archaeological remains that prove the Phoenician presence in the Iberian Peninsula, as well as the native lands in the eastern Mediterranean. First of all, we must attempt to investigate the situation that was taking place in the Phoenician’s mother-cities. This should inform us about the daily circumstances in the metropolis, why Phoenician people decided to leave their homes and where they went. This is an important point because the original conditions that led to a colonial movement are crucial for understanding the subsequent practices in distant places. After studying the basic condition, I carry out a meaningful research about the core elements that have influenced the colonization process. In addition to this, we try to understand the mechanisms beneath those primary settlement patterns. Without doubt, a deep analysis of the marine environment (such as winds, oceanic currents or ships) is crucial to understanding the nature of the Phoenician’s routes across the Mediterranean Sea. Likewise, I have deepened into the features and characteristics of the Phoeniciansocial classes focused on commerce and trading. Knowing which kind of people took part at the beginning of this unpredictable colonial process has made my work even more meaningful. This section of the research has been extremely useful to trace this complex historical process. The study of the religious mechanisms that were implemented by the Tyre authorities in order to ~7~

set up their colonization ideas has been, without doubt, an essential key to realizing how Phoenician society could overcome fear of sailing the sea. To tackle this part I have reviewed both ancient texts and archaeological data. Moreover, we decide to turn to different approaches as neuroscience and sociobiology (especially memetics) to better know how the brain works in relation to its fears and dangers and which kind of tools were used by the authorities, amid the colonization years, to remove or instil them. Of Course, the analysis of the Phoenician geographical knowledge, as well as his mythical perceptions of this cosmography and the world limits, was one of the most relevant features in my work. Finally, using an anthropological perspective, I analyze textual and archaeological evidence, which are linked with Phoenician earlier settlements (between the tenth century BC and eighth century BC). Furthermore, we attempt to attach importance to the rural environment and the social interaction with the native settlers in order to better understand the colonization process. Overall, we achieve new results that show the importance of peasants as part of Phoenician colonies for various reasons. Firstly, due to the problems related to the over-exploitation of the rural area, and secondly because of the overcrowding that Tyre suffered, the main independent city-state in the colonization process. In addition to this, we should remark the decisive role that both religious authorities and the temple of Melqart played in Phoenician colonization. Finally, from an economic point of view, leitmotiv of our essay, we have found plenty of evidence from farms in early Iberian Phoenician archaeological sites, including troubled relationships with the native settlers.Research results indicate that the agricultural system had more relevance than the traditional historiography usually has admitted until recently. Also, it would be relevant to note that the relationships with the indigenous communities were frequently violent, and most of the time they were characterised by huge social an economic tensions. ~8~