"Of late a decided reaction has set in against the popular theory of the great influence exercised by the Phoenicians on Greece, which is perfectly justifiable, but it is not always to the point. The real reason why people contest the existence of Phoenicians in Greece is that they object to make the Greeks indebted to Phoenicia for anything of importance. We believe we have proved that the widespread influence ascribed to them ... originates solely in caprice. But why should there be a reluctance to admit the existence of mere settlements of Phoenicians in Greece, when supported by historical criteria which are considered valid in other cases? Phoenicians were once there, but their influence was inconsiderable."