Lebanon's history spans 7000 years — from Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders, Ottomans, French Mandate, to modern Republic.
Phoenicians (3000-330 BC)
Phoenicians — greatest sailors of ancient world. Cities: Tyre, Sidon, Beirut, Byblos (UNESCO, world's oldest continuously inhabited city — 7000 years). Invented alphabet. Founded Carthage.
Persians and Greeks (538-64 BC)
Persians 538-332. Alexander the Great conquered Tyre 332 BC. Seleucids 312-64. Romans 64 BC.
Romans and Byzantines (64 BC - 636 AD)
Baalbek (UNESCO) — largest Roman temples in the world. Christianity spread — Lebanon cradle of Maronite Church.
Islamic Conquest and Crusaders (636-1291)
Islamic conquest 636. Maronites preserved Christianity. Crusaders 1098-1291 — castles of Tripoli and Sidon.
Mamluks and Ottomans (1291-1918)
Mamluks 1291-1516. Ottomans 1516-1918 — 400 years. Fakhr al-Din II (1572-1635) — practically independent emir. Mount Lebanon famine 1915-1918 — 200,000 died.
French Mandate and Greater Lebanon (1920-1943)
France created State of Greater Lebanon 1920. Republic 1926. Independence November 22, 1943 — national day. National Pact — power-sharing among confessions.
Civil War and Second Republic (1975-today)
Civil War 1975-1990 — 150,000 died. Israeli invasion 1982. Taif Agreement 1989. Reconstruction. Hariri assassination 2005. 2006 war. Syrian refugee crisis 2011+. Port explosion 2020 — 200 died. 6 million inhabitants. 18 religious denominations.