Lebanese Phoenicianism: Rebutting Anthony Smith's Ethno-Symbolism

Examining national awakening in early twentieth-century Lebanon tests the validity of Anthony D. Smith's ethno-symbolism, which argues that modern national movements arise from older or ancient ethnic cores, which Smith calls ethnies. Since ethno-symbolism contradicts Eric Hobsbawm's notion of an “invented tradition,” contrasting Smith with Hobsbawm illustrates the substance of Smith's argument. Supporters of independent Lebanon frequently proclaimed a Phoenician origin for the Lebanese nation, employing various Phoenician symbols to legitimise Lebanese independence. At first glance, Lebanese Phoenicianism seem to fit Smith's idea that nations are “based on, and being created out of, pre-existing ethnies.” Other nationalists from Lebanon, however, rejected Phoenicianism and Lebanese particularist nationalism: self-proclaimed “Syrian” nationalists imagined a nation that encompassed the entire Levant, while Pan-Arab nationalists extended their national sympathies to the entire Arab world. Both Syrian and Pan-Arab nationalists devised their own ancient pasts, suggesting that nationalists choose their own ancient pasts. If nationalists imagine the national past, ethnic symbols have no causal significance, so Smith's theory does not work.