An important but neglected aspect of classical warfare that covers
technological, strategic and tactical developments from Alexander to the
battle of Actium.
The period covered in this book is well known for its epic battles and
grand campaigns of territorial conquest, but Hellenistic monarchies,
Carthaginians, and the rapacious Roman Republic were scarcely less
active at sea. Huge resources were poured into maintaining fleets not
only as symbols of prestige but as means of projecting real military
power across the Mediterranean arena.
Taking the period between Alexander the Great's conquests and the Battle
of Actium, John Grainger analyzes the developments in naval technology
and tactics, the uses and limitations of sea power and the differing
strategies of the various powers. He shows, for example, how the
Rhodians and the Romans eschewed the ever-larger monster galleys favored
by most Hellenistic monarchs in favor of smaller vessels. This is a
fascinating study of a neglected aspect of ancient warfare.