- Sanchuniathon, also known as Sanchoniatho the Berytian, was a Phoenician writer about whom nothing is known except that he was the author of three Lost Works written in the Phoenician Language.
- Eusebius was the only ancient author to mention Sanchuniathon.
Eusebius (c.260-c.340 CE)
- Eusebius was a historian of the Early Christian Church who wrote Praeparatio Evangelica (Book I Chap IX-X)
- He quoted Porphyry of Tyre (c.234-c.305 CE) who wrote that Philo of Byblos (c.64-c.141 CE) had translated a Phoenician history by Sanchuniathon into Greek.
- Sanchuniathon is cited as having obtained the records of the Hierombalum, a Priest of the Canaanite Religion, and that he dedicated his History to King Abibalus of Berytus (Beirut) and wrote it before the Trojan War (which was dated by Eratosthenes as occurring between 1194-1184 BCE).
- Eusebius was convinced this made Sanchuniathon a very ancient source that preceded Hesiod (8th century BCE).
- Modern historians are of the opinion that either Sanchuniathon probably lived after Hesiod or may even have been invented by Philo.
The Lost Works
- ‘Phoenician History’
- A Creation Myth.
- A Geneaology and History of the Gods in the Near East.
- A Guide to the Worship of Serpents.
- ‘On the Phoenician Alphabet’
- A Treatise on the Phoenician Alphabet.
Beirut, Lebanon