Did Phoenicians Come to the Americas Before Columbus?

Join us for a spring Arts, Culture & Ideas lunch with Professor Becky Martin, Assistant Professor of Greek Art.

Phoenicians, whose homeland was on the coastal strip of the Holy Lands, are an intriguing people who occupy a critical academic space between Classical and Biblical studies; however, our study of them is hindered by the near-total absence of Phoenician literature. So it comes as little surprise that, given their intriguing habits and lack of written history, Phoenicians lend themselves to a lot of speculation. This talk concerns the idea that Phoenicians came to the Americas before Columbus. Professor Martin will consider what about Phoenicians makes them appealing subjects to amateurs and how New England came to be a major player in the creation of their “alternative” history.

$15, includes light lunch