Product Description

Written by the renowned authority on ancient ships and seafaring Lionel Casson, The Ancient Mariners has long served the needs of all who are interested in the sea, from the casual reader to the professional historian. This completely revised edition takes into account the fresh information that has appeared since the book was first published in 1959, especially that from archaeology's newest branch, marine archaeology. Casson does what no other author has done: he has put in a single volume the story of all that the ancients accomplished on the sea from the earliest times to the end of the Roman Empire. He explains how they perfected trading vessels from mere rowboats into huge freighters that could carry over a thousand tons, how they transformed warships from simple oared transports into complex rowing machines holding hundreds of marines and even heavy artillery, and how their maritime commerce progressed from short cautious voyages to a network that reached from Spain to India.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #299462 in Books
• Published on: 1991-08-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 299 pages

Review
It is astonishing how much new evidence on ancient seafaring has emerged since the first edition of this book was published. . . . Lionel Casson sets out this new material, and much more.
(The Classical Outlook )

Customer Reviews

A marvelous book essencial to the study of ancient history
Every reader interested in history, from casual to scholar will find in this book a valuable resource to understand the origin and evolution of seafaring until the end of the middle ages. The importance of this seafaring activity becomes obvious through a well written text which bring us the vivid glow of people, devices and events long gone. After reading this work, a history book lacking reference to seafaring will seem very incomplete.