Tyre was built by the Sidonians and became the rival of Sidon, as well as the chief city of Phoenician. According to Herodotus Tyre was founded around 2700 BC. Titus Flavius Josephus says that Tyre was founded 240 years before the building of Solomon’s temple.
Tyre was enormously powerful, proud and rich, receiving the trade and tribute of many lesser cities. The wealth Tyre came by trading with the Mediterranean nations,
It was founded on the mainland, but after its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC until 573 BC, King of Babylon, second city was built on small rocky island, half a mile from the shore, but the latter never attained the importance of the first Tyre.
Alexander the Great in 331 BC took Tyre after a siege of eight months. Tyre recovered from its second capture, attained once more considerable distinction and was made a free city by the Romans.
In 218 BC, the city was taken possession of by Antiochus the Great. It next became subject to the Seleucid, and was sold to a Roman named Marion, whose wealth was so great that he was enabled to purchase the whole principality.
Under the Romans, Tyre was a large and strong city, with safe and capacious harbor and a flourishing trade.
Ancient city of Tyre
