Tyre was founded on a small island, around 3000 BC by the Phoenicians, who traded purple dye and glass manufactured in the town. In the 4th century BC a causeway was constructed, connecting it with the mainland. Nowadays people visit Tyre for its Roman ruins.
The oldest part of town is on the former island, which is now a peninsula. The new town is further inland and the Roman ruins are south of town. There is an archway with an aqueduct on one side. A Roman road lined with ornate sarcophagi runs through it. There are also the remains of a 2nd century AD hippodrome with seats for 20,000 people. Nowadays it is used for festivals during summer.
Tyre is on the southern coast of Lebanon, not far from the Israeli border.
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