Which of the following statements explains why the phoenicians did not conquer new lands to expand into an empire?

The Phoenicians did not have the resources needed to support an empire and preferred to focus on colonization.

Explanation:

The Phoenicians founded colonies in all parts of the Mediterranean sea. They were the first to pass through Gibraltar (pillars of Hercules). They had ships made of cedar wood They founded new colonies on these sea routes, the most famous of which was Carthage (which means -New Castle) in 814 B.C.   They jealously guarded the secret of maritime travel & told other nations on these roads that there were dragons that swallowed sailors

Southern secession is the event or issue that historians can gain insight from this excerpt.