Syria Phoenice

Syria Phoenice was a Roman province established in the southwestern region of Syria. Initially, Phoenicia was incorporated into the larger Roman province of Syria, with some cities like Aradus, Sidon, and Tyre retaining self-government. Later, under the Severan dynasty, the province of Syria was divided into Syria Coele and Syria Phoenice. Syria Phoenice encompassed coastal Phoenicia and extended inland. By the 5th century CE, it was further reorganized into two provinces: Phoenice Prima (Maritima) and Phoenice Secunda (Libanesia). The region was known for its cities, including Berytus (Beirut), which became a prominent center for Roman law, and Heliopolis (Baalbek), featuring a significant temple complex. The native Phoenician language was eventually replaced by Aramaic, and later by Greek, as the vernacular.1