Why were many Greek artifacts found in the soil of Lebanon? Why were there Lebanese citizens buried in tombs with Greek carvings? Was Lebanon a Greek occupation or was it a Hellenic vacation spot?! When Darius sensed Alexander's ferocious attack, he turned his chariot and was the first to flee, abandoning all his soldiers and property for Alexander to take. After Darius' defeat against Alexander at Gaugamela, the Persian empire, which included Lebanon, Iran, Armenia, Syria, Israel, Turkey..., no longer existed. The gates of Phoenicia were open to the victorious Greeks. Tired of Persian oppression, the Phoenician cities welcomed the Hellenic king where only Tire resisted but was finally conquered after a long siege. Phoenicia after the early death of Alexander came under the rule of the Seleucids, where the monarchy was eradicated and the cities were ruled by high officials with Greek names, then the Lebanese were forced to adopt a Greek way of life or the Cedar nation accepted willingly this new culture? Alexander pursued deliberate policies of Hellenization. While it may have been an intentional attempt to spread Greek culture, it is more likely that it was a series of realistic events designed to aid the governance of his colossal empire. Alexander founded cities throughout the empire that were to be administrative seats in the regions and colonized by Greeks, many of whom were veterans of Alexander's campaigns. This policy allowed Alexander to gain control over his new subjects and at the same time spread Greek influence over the empire. He also attempted to unify the ruling classes through marriage bonds in which people in positions of power from all classes were used. After Alexand... half of the paper... maybe he preferred foreign culture to his own? It is without doubt that Lebanon was once under Hellenistic influence and that its citizens adopted the Hellenic lifestyle by choice or by force; probably both! This cultural change is shown in most artifacts found in the country. Phoenicia was significantly changed with its contribution to Greek culture and the fusion of both cultures resulted in an explosive end result. Whether Alexander intended to spread Greek culture or simply wanted to control his new subjects, he helped lay the foundations of the Phoenician country of Lebanon. Knowing this and knowing Lebanon today, one cannot help but wonder, if this mixing of cultures had not occurred, would Lebanon today be the same, a better and much more advanced version of the Cedar Nation or would things have been otherwise? terrible route ?!