On April 15, 2025, Dr. Patricia Antaki, Director of the Department of Archaeology and Museology at the University of Balamand, gave an engaging lecture at the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) in Beirut. The talk, titled “Des Jeux Olympiques en Phénicie?” was organized by “La Chaire d’études phéniciennes” at USJ.

The conference delved into the rich history of athletic competitions akin to the Olympic Games that thrived in ancient Phoenicia during the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras. These events took place in prominent cities such as Beirut, Sidon, Tyre, Baalbek, and Tripoli.

Dr. Antaki presented compelling evidence drawn from literary sources, numismatics, and inscriptions, shedding light on the various athletic disciplines, the venues where they were held, and the intricate details of their organization. She further examined the rewards bestowed upon the victors and the identities of the athletes—both Phoenician competitors and foreign participants—highlighting the significance of these games in shaping the region’s legacy.

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