Honor Frost Foundation 12th Annual Lecture Video
Dr Claude Doumet-Serhal (left) and HFF Chair, Ms. Alison Cathie.
The following abstract highlights a few of the fascinating discoveries at this site. The full video is now available to view at the bottom of the page.
On the Shores of the “Wine-Dark Sea”: Sidon – A Major harbour within the Mediterranean Network
The Mediterranean and its various native ports have captivated scholarly attention ever since Homer vividly portrayed Odysseus’ adventures across the enigmatic “wine-dark sea”.
As recounted in The Iliad, one remarkable artefact that reflects the region’s interconnectedness and widespread cultural exchanges is a silver mixing bowl. Changing hands many times, it eventually came to Achilles who offered it as a prize to the most fleet-footed, in honour of his comrade Patroclus. Although very small (it contained a mere six measures), it was “crafted with exquisite skill by Sidonian artisans and was borne across the misty expanse of water by Phoenician hands, where it held a unique allure because its aesthetic splendour far outshone all earthly rivals” (Book 23, lines 740-745).
Nestled along the Lebanese coastline, the ancient city of Sidon blazes a prominent trail through the annals of antiquity. Garnering mention an impressive 38 times in the Old Testament, Sidon bears a venerable status. Among the coastal cities of Canaan, it claims the distinction of being the oldest and most illustrious. In Genesis (10:15), Sidon is hailed as the “firstborn of Canaan”. In fact, the labels “Phoenician” and “Sidonian” were often employed interchangeably, a testament to Sidon’s integral role in shaping the cultural and maritime identity of the broader region.
These excavations are still ongoing thanks to the Honor Frost Foundation.
