Ezekiel27chapter 27

The lament builds Tyre as a ship, part by part, and every material is a real trade good with a real source. Planks of fir from Senir, another name for Mount Hermon. A mast of cedar from Lebanon, the most prized timber in the ancient world. Oars from the oaks of Bashan, east of the Sea of Galilee. A deck of boxwood inlaid with ivory from Cyprus. A sail of embroidered Egyptian linen. An awning of blue and purple.

That purple is the city's signature. Tyrian purple was extracted from murex sea snails, thousands of them for a few grams of dye, and vast heaps of crushed shells have been found along the Phoenician coast. It was the most expensive colour on earth, which is why it became the colour of royalty.

The crew is drawn from the region: rowers from Sidon and Arvad, skilled men of Gebal — the city the Greeks called Byblos — as the caulkers who sealed the seams. Mercenaries from Persia, Lud and Put garrison the walls, and shields and helmets are hung on them, which was a real display practice.

Then comes the trade list, and it is a map of the ancient economy. Silver, iron, tin and lead from Tarshish in the far west. Slaves and bronze vessels from Javan, Tubal and Meshech in Asia Minor. Horses and mules from Beth-togarmah. Ivory and ebony from the coasts. Wheat, honey, oil and balm from Israel and Judah. Wine of Helbon and wool from Damascus. Lambs, rams and goats from Arabia and Kedar. Spices, precious stones and gold from Sheba and Raamah in the south. Fine garments and carpets from Haran, Asshur and the cities of the Euphrates.

Then the east wind wrecks the ship in the heart of the seas, and everything on the list goes down with it — cargo, crew, pilots and all.