The early character of National Independence enjoyed by the Sidonians, and the primitive character of justice among them, may be gathered from the description of the people of Laish, who are compared to the Sidonians; and the military prowess of the latter people is also expressed.
1406 B. C.] "Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt careless, after the manner of the Sidonians, quiet and secure; and there was no magistrate in the land,[11] that might put them to shame for any thing;—[i. e. for crimes]—and they were far from the Sidonians, and had no business with any man." "And there was no deliverer,—because it [Laish] was far from Sidon." [Judges xviii. 7, 28.]
In the course of time there were six Kingdoms or Nations of Phœnicia,—viz., Sidon, Tyrus, Aradnus, Berytus, Byblos, and Carthage. The inhabitants of the kingdoms in Asia bore one general name—Phœnicians,—though each had its own name from its derivative,—as Sidonians, Tyrians, &c. The great nation in Africa, was not included in the general appellation, but from its Republican character, possessed its own,—viz., Carthaginians.
HISTORY OF TYRUS.
ITS RISE AND FALL, AND THE MIGRATION OF THE TYRIANS TO THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.