13. Hiram of Tyre – Phoenician Evidence Since 1855
A stone coffin found in Lebanon tells secrets of ancient diplomacy. The Eshmunazar II sarcophagus, discovered in Sidon in 1855, bears Phoenician text that names King Hiram of Tyre. Ancient trade records also reveal how Hiram sent cedar and skilled workers to help build Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem. These findings match biblical accounts of the friendship between these two kings, showing how Phoenician wealth and Israeli ambition created one of history’s most famous buildings.
