The Navies of Rome

by Michael Paul Pitassi

A groundbreaking new chronological study of the role played by the Navy in the successful development of the Roman Empire.

Both welcome and useful. [...] This is a narrative history as well as a focused study of the development of the ships, officers, and crews and the overall naval establishment. Recommended. CHOICE

This publication represents the first true examination of the Roman Navy as an independent arm of the military. Though many may perceive the Roman Empire as a primarily land-based organisation, an empire forged by the formidable legions of infantry, thetruth is that it was as much a maritime empire as that of the British in the nineteenth century, and in fact the Roman Navy was the most powerful maritime force ever to have existed. It secured the trade routes and maintained thecommunications that allowed the Roman Empire to exist; and it brought previously untouchable and unreachable enemies to battle and enabled the expansion of Imperial power into areas thought hitherto inaccessible. This book, featuring detailed reconstructions of the ships themselves, provides an engaging survey of the craft, their crewmen, and the navy's major contribution to the Empire's growth.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

392 pages, Paperback

First published November 20, 2008

About the author

Michael Pitassi is a retired lawyer with a lifelong interest in naval warfare and Roman history which has led to a deep and abiding interest in the seagoing activities of the Romans.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

In most discussions of the military power of ancient Rome, the focus is almost exclusively on the role played by their famous legions in expanding their empire and maintaining their control. Overshadowed in such analyses is the often equally important role played by their naval forces in achieving these goals. As Michael Pitassi demonstrates convincingly in this book, Rome was as much a maritime power as it was one based on its ground forces. Starting with the background of naval power in the western Mediterranean in the 6th century BCE, Pitassi describes the establishment of Rome’s navy, its successful contest with Carthage for control over the western Mediterranean, and its expansion eastward to transform the entire sea into a “Roman lake.” This narrative is supplemented with an abundant selection of maps and drawings, as well as numerous short descriptions of Roman naval technology, weaponry, and ship operations.

All of this makes Pitassi’s book an invaluable resource for anyone interested in Roman naval power and the maritime history of the Roman empire. Yet these very strengths define the limits of his achievement with it. For all of the comprehensiveness of his coverage, there is little analysis of how Rome’s navies were employed as a tool of the empire’s larger geostrategy, while the narrative itself often presents developments as little more than a succession of events without a supplementary explanation of the factors driving them. This makes for a dry text that is more valuable as a reference work than a historical narrative that sheds light onto the factors shaping Rome’s use of military power and how it contributed into the development of the empire overall. While it is one that anyone interested in Roman military history should read for Pitassi’s account of an underexamined aspect of it, it is an important step towards giving his subject its due rather than serving as a definitive study of his subject.

[Bonnie_blu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I am very knowledgeable about ancient Rome, especially the late Republic, I knew only a smattering about Rome's naval history. Mr. Pitassi does a remarkable job of tracing the evolution of Rome's navies throughout her history. He addresses previous and current points of contention and clearly explicates how various theories hold up to the available data. In addition, the author has supplied numerous illustrations and pictures to make the text easily understandable, and his writing style is clear and straightforward. There is so much valuable information in this book that I highly recommend it to anyone interested in navel history, Roman history, and a history of the Mediterranean.

[Cat Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the sources that gave me the inspiration and impetus to work on the thesis that I am currently writing.

The descriptions, details, and arguments for the power of the Roman navy are well written and informative. The pictures and illustrations are useful and the use of archaeological evidence is sound. I am very happy to be able to reference this work in my thesis research.

[Rhys Bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best history book I've read.

[Burt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thorough, well written, and well designed book. Lots of detail on the development and use of the Roman Navy.

[John Bohnert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Until I read this book, I was unaware of Rome having a navy. As a Navy veteran, I especially enjoyed reading this Roman Navy history.