Question

alphabetic writing consists of using relatively few symbols to represent sounds. these symbols can be combined to create an infinite number of words, as in english writing. by contrast, ancient peoples, as well as some cultures today, used pictorial writing, which assigns each word its own unique image. today, alphabetic writing is the norm in many societies, but this wasn’t always the case. we owe its invention largely to the seafaring of the ancient phoenicians. just who were the phoenicians? well, phoenicia consisted of a loose alliance of city - states in modern lebanon and syria. because its people had limited access to farmland, they became master sailors. they were the strongest force on the mediterranean sea by 1200 bce, a position they would hold for 400 years, due to their innovative ship designs and strong navigational skills. in fact, phoenician sailors were amongst the first to navigate by the stars. as the phoenicians expanded their influence, their wealth became deeply tied with their continued ability to trade across the sea. phoenician traders began to wish for a simple way to record goods and trades. this led to the creation of the phoenician alphabet, a group of 22 symbols that could be used to represent sounds. this represented an enormous leap forward for humanity, as it made reading and writing accessible to more people. and thanks to the phoenician trade network, the alphabet quickly spread across the seas. how did phoenician seafaring contribute to the invention of alphabetic writing?

Explanation:

Phoenicians were master - sailors due to limited farmland access. Their trading across the sea led to the need for a simple way to record goods and trades, which resulted in the creation of the Phoenician alphabet. Their trade network also spread the alphabet.

Answer:

Phoenician seafaring led to extensive trade. The need to record goods and trades in trade activities contributed to the creation of the Phoenician alphabet, and their trade network helped spread it, thus contributing to the invention of alphabetic writing.