Byblos, surrounded by sea, fertile fields and the once forested mountains of Lebanon, was an important city because of its raw materials - especially timber. It was dominated by Egypt in particular from as early as the 3rd millennium BC. The close relationship between Byblos and Egypt is seen mainly in art from the city.
This gold chest ornament, for example, is of the Egyptian hawk-god Horus. Despite obvious Egyptian influence, its stylistic details clearly indicate that it was delicately fashioned by local Canaanite craftsmen. It was found in the Royal Tombs of the city's Amorite rulers, and was made in the 17th century BC.
Byblos declined in importance in the 1st millennium BC because of the dominance of the cities of Tyre and Sidon.
