Hittite Phoenicia Thalassocracy

A Phoenix is a mythical sacred firebird that originated in the early Hittites mythology, with analogues in many cultures such as the ancient the Egyptians to whom it had also been attributed by Herodotus; Hebrews; Persians; Greeks; Chinese; Hindus, and others, who had similar stories about supernatural birds.

The Greeks called it Phoenix; the Egyptians ‘Bennu’, and the Chinese ‘Fêng-Huang’. In Japan it's named ‘Ho-o’, in Russia 'Fenics'. It is also known as the Arabian ‘Anka’; the Georgian ‘Paskunji’; the Hindu ‘Garuda’; the Persian ‘Simorgh’; the Turkish ‘Zümrüdü Anka’, and the Tibetan ‘Me byi karmo’.

Both the Hittite Phoenix and Double-Headed-Eagle birds symbolize immortality, resurrection and life after death, associated with the ‘Sun Goddess of the City of Arinna’; the ‘Sun Goddess of the Earth’, and the ‘Sun God of Heaven’.

Phoenix is the national bird of the area now known as Lebanon that corresponds to Phoenicia, and symbol of its capital city Beirut, which, was rebuilt from ashes seven times, making it an ‘Urban Phoenix’.

Phoenix (Phoinix "Sun-red") in Greek mythology, was the eponym of ‘Phoenicia’ who together with his brothers were tasked to find their Zeus abducted sister ‘Europa’.

The Hittite Empire’s ‘Levant’ ancient region eastern coast of the Mediterranean that corresponds to modern Lebanon, with adjoining parts of modern Syria and Israel would later in part became known as the ‘Phoenicia’ thalassocracy, under the Hittite flag, enjoying the same cultural influences, and Canaanite Indo-European language.

Phoenicians did not refer to themselves as such but rather are thought to have as "Kena?ani", (meaning “merchants”) a word related to the ancient Canaanites. The name "Phoenician", is a Greek invention, from the word Phoinix, probably alluding to their production at the time of a highly prized purple dye.

The Phoenicians were Mediterranean seafarers who dominated trade (circa 1550–300 BC), primarily remembered as adept sailors and cunning merchants.

Phoenicianism has been in recent history a form of Lebanese nationalism adopted by a segment of the Lebanese population.

All ancient thalassocracies had figureheads mounted on, or carved directly onto, the most forward part of their ship’s bow (front) forming an extension of the keel (primary structure).

The Phoenicians among such mounted figures of Holy-birds the Phoenix in particular to provide protection and vision; at times a ‘horse head’, symbolizing swiftness; while, the Romans and Greeks carved wolf or boar heads representing ferocity…

Food for thought!