Phonikes: The History of an Ethnonym

Abstract

The etymology of Greek Phoinikes points towards an Indo-European root, despite other proposed origins cannot be ruled out with absolute certainty. The original meaning of the noun does not seem to have connection either with the Phoenician purple dye or with the colour purple. As regards Phoinikes in Homeric epic poetry, the term seems to indicate Levantines in a broader sense, with no specific connection with those known as “Phoenicians” from the 6th century onwards. Apparently the Sidonians were the only “Phoenician” ethnic group known to Greek ancient epics.