Final answer:
The Phoenicians assumed power in the aftermath of the international Bronze Age through trading, exploration, and the development of the alphabet.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Phoenicians assumed power in the aftermath of the international Bronze Age through their trading and exploration activities in the Mediterranean Sea. They established trading posts across the Mediterranean and developed a revolutionary new communication tool, the alphabet, which expanded literacy. The Phoenicians also sought new sources of iron ore and other metals like tin, which were in high demand during the new Iron Age.