A small maritime region, Phoenicia lay on the Eastern Mediterranean coast. 

The Phoenicians, who were Semites, emerged as a distinct Canaanite group around 3200 B.C. Hemmed in by the Lebanon Mountains, their first cities were Byblos, Sidon, Tyre, and Aradus.

Scholars agree that there are two sources of the Western tradition: Judeo-Christian doctrine and ancient Greek intellectualism. More generally, there is recognition that Western civilization is largely built atop the Near Eastern civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt. 

A basic question arises, however, as to which ancient people specifically

prepared the way for the West to develop. While early Aegean cultures are often viewed as the mainspring, assessment of the growing literature reveals that the city-states of Phoenicia stimulated (Bronze Age) and fostered (Iron Age) Western civilization.

Phoenicia, the principal axis of Eastern influence, sent forth pioneering seafarers, skilled engineers, gifted artisans, and the master entrepreneurs of antiquity. Through a peaceful, long-distance exchange network of goods and ideas, they influenced the trade, communication, and civilizational development of the Mediterranean basin. 

The height of Phoenician shipping, mercantile, and cultural activity was during the Greek early Archaic period, especially the Orientalizing phase, c. 750-650 B.C., which appears to have laid the foundations for fifth century B.C., classical Greece.

Phoenician mercantilism also prompted European state formation in the Aegean, Italy, and Spain. Rome would succeed Greece and Carthage. Finally, Roman Carthage promoted Latin Christianity. 

Educational Resourced Below~

The Phoenicians and the Formation of the Western

World ~ Dr. John C. Scot

https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2047&context=ccr

The Mission of the University: Medieval to Postmodern Transformations

https://www.academia.edu/21632006/The_Mission_of_the_University_Medieval_to_Postmodern_Transformations

The Chautauqua Movement: Revolution in Popular Higher Education

https://www.academia.edu/23844374/The_Chautauqua_Movement_Revolution_in_Popular_Higher_Education

Purchase his awesome book, The Influence of the Medieval University on the Latin Church and Secular Government Politics: From the Later Middle Ages to Early Modern Times, ISBN: 978-0773498365.

Dr. Scott is so kind and so very generous that he gave me a copy that had sentimental value, and I honestly can't recommend it enough, a wonderful work of history and education. 

Academia Profile of Dr. Scott.

https://independent.academia.edu/JohnScott47

Attribution:

Scott, John C. (2018) "The Phoenicians and the Formation of the Western World," Comparative Civilizations Review: Vol. 78 : No. 78 , Article 4.

Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/ccr/vol78/iss78/4