The first millennium B.C.  　 the rise of major trading hubs like Tyre and Sidon, which not only  　 the exchange of goods but also became centers for cultural and technological exchange. These trading posts were strategically  　 along the coastlines, allowing for the efficient movement of goods, ideas, and people. The success of these trading routes catalyzed economic growth, leading to a  　 in urbanization as ports grew into bustling cities.