Describe the important event which took place, before the city-state of Ur rose to power.Which natural obstacle led Phoenicians to use the sea for trade? a. desert c. overcrowded forests b. flooding rivers d. mountains to the east and north

Before the city-state of Ur rose to power:

Before the rise of the city-state of Ur, the Sumerians established several city-states in the region known as Mesopotamia. One of the earliest and most significant events was the development of the Sumerian civilization in the fertile lands between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The Sumerians built advanced city-states, including Ur, around 3,500 BCE. The establishment of agriculture and irrigation in the fertile crescent contributed to the growth of these early civilizations.

Natural obstacle leading Phoenicians to use the sea for trade:

The natural obstacle that led the Phoenicians to use the sea for trade was d. mountains to the east and north. The mountainous terrain in the eastern and northern parts of the Phoenician homeland, located in the coastal region of the eastern Mediterranean (modern-day Lebanon), limited their agricultural activities and made overland trade challenging. As a result, the Phoenicians, known for their maritime skills, turned to the sea as a primary means of transportation and trade. Their seafaring abilities allowed them to establish extensive trade networks, contributing to the prosperity and influence of Phoenician city-states such as Tyre and Sidon.