Ancient Warfare at Sea: Battles, Strategy, Commanders and Ships, from the Earliest Time to Circa 1,0

Three erudite and academic examinations of warfare afloat in the ancient world

Naval warfare in the ancient world evolved from troop transportation to highly specialized ramming tactics, eventually becoming missile hurling vessels. The Battle of the Delta (c. 1175 BC) saw Egypt using archers and grappling hooks. Phoenician penteconters were long, open galleys powered by oars and sails. The Greeks and Persians mastered the naval tactics of their day, developing the Trireme galley which featured three tiers of oars, for speed and ramming impact. Massive warships like "quadriremes" appeared which carried catapults and boarding towers. The Romans naval combat became floating infantry battles in which spiked boarding bridges allowed marines to board and capture Carthaginian ships. The Byzantine, Dromen warship, was an oared galley featuring lateen sails and a fully decked hull. Incendiary liquid pumped through bronze tubes that burned on water, 'Greek Fire' secured the empire's naval supremacy. In northern waters, the Longships, shallow-draft vessels capable of navigating both open oceans and shallow rivers for surprise raids, appeared. This special Leonaur edition offers three academic perspectives of the changing nature of war at sea throughout 2,000 years of history. Contains many useful illustrations.

Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.