During the 10th century BC, Phoenician cities became major centers of trade and an important commercial presence. The Greeks in Sicily and southern Italy were enthusiastic users of coins, so the Carthaginians began minting coins to better facilitate trade with them. Metals were still the main trade of the Phoenicians in the Mediterranean, perhaps since the Phoenicians' first known base was near copper-rich Cyprus near Larnaca in the 9th century. This was an important period for the Italian lands traversed by the first Greek traders and settlers and also for their home nations which grew as trading centers. As the Euboean cities transitioned to lesser roles, Corinth dominated trade, sending large numbers of their prized vessels westward and bringing back food and raw materials. The overseas Phoenicians became more active traders than the Levant Phoenicians. Furthermore, the Euboeans from the far west extended their trade linking Syria, Rhodes, Ionia, and Corinth to Pithekoussai. The citizens of Pithekoussai were traders, artisans and craftswomen. Due to trade, the character of the eastern Mediterranean changed when the Egyptians began their expeditions along the Red Sea trading in ivory and ebony. Other trade networks were created in the 8th century bringing oriental culture to Etruria and southern Spain. Merchant communities expanded trade between Greece and Italy. Fifth