The origins of Tyre are not confirmed yet, but according to some archeologists, Tyre might have existed since the early third century BC (around -2750). Following the excavations that were carried out in Tyre consecutively since 1861, a spot check was carried out on the soil of the island city center (it is believed that the first inhabitants of Tyre used to live on the island part of the city.) These spot checks showed many levels of foundation (Phoenician, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Arab and Franks…), the most ancient of which goes back to the first quarter of the third century. In the beginning of the second century, Tyre did not have a historical role in the region. The Egyptian texts mention Tyre as being a city having a strategic southern situation. It was only a small harbor serving as a port of call between the Egyptian coasts and Byblos. Starting the second half of the second century (during the period that extends between -1500 and -1100), Tyre benefited from its position as a strategic harbor to develop its trading and industrial activities (transparent glass industry in particular and purple extraction technique), thanks to its relationships with the other cities of the Levant.

However, it’s until the tenth century before Christ that Tyre reached its gold age. During this period, King Hiram I (who helped Salomon build the Jerusalem temple), ordered the construction of Melkart temple in Tyre, as well as two other ports: the port of Sidon in the north (used today) and the Egyptian port in the south (deserted since the Byzantine period). The Melkart temple has not been found yet; it is believed to exist under the cathedral of the Crusades where Phoenician remains have already been discovered. During the period of the tenth century, Tyre witnessed remarkable commercial and cultural prosperity. It joined its neighbor Sidon (between the tenth and the ninth century before Christ). It had then a powerful commercial and military fleet, which made it subject to greed and enemies. It witnessed several invasions among which the Assyrian one at the end of the eighth century. Sidon refused to cooperate with the Assyrians and parted from Tyre which led to a commercial and political weakening of both cities. However, the commercial activity of Tyre continued to develop until the arrival of Alexander the Great around 333 before Christ after his victory over the Persians. On the Phoenician coast, the cities chose to pacifically unite with him, except for Tyre which resisted him. In 332, Alexandre the Great imposed a 7-month siege upon Tyre. He succeeded in enlarging the sea wall, joining the insular city to the continent. Tyre was finally conquered by Alexander. After the death of this latter, Ptolemy I occupied Tyre as well as the other Phoenician cities. During the following centuries, the successive dynasties split during the conflicts which made them weak. Finally, in -64, Tyre became subject to the Roman domination.

During the Roman period, Tyre witnessed a remarkable urbanization. Many vestiges were left from this period and were subject to many rehabilitation works. Among these roman constructions is the Hippodrome considered one of the widest at that period, although unfortunately it wasn’t finished.