Final answer:
The Phoenicians impacted the Mediterranean world through their trade networks and the invention of the alphabet.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Phoenicians had a significant impact on the Mediterranean world through their trade networks and the invention of the alphabet.
- Trade: The Phoenicians established colonies and trading outposts all over the Mediterranean, creating a new international trade network. They controlled the purple dye trade and were known for their advanced record-keeping system.
- Alphabet: The Phoenicians invented the world's first known alphabet, which simplified the earlier script of the Canaanites. This writing system spread and became the ancestor to most present-day European alphabets.
The Phoenicians' influence can still be seen in modern European languages and the word 'phonetic' is directly related to 'Phoenician'.