The Hittits were people who are in present time known for their rivalry to Israelite. Asia minor was captured by them in about 1700 BC and from there they expanded a civilization and culture which was even alarming for the great empire of well established Egypt, another reason they are known for.
Phoenicians were known for their trade skills as well as for their religious rites and practices. Their religion was Canaanite. In about 1050 BC the first written alphabets were used by Phoenicians and it became the most widely used writing system through their merchants and trade.