Greek and Roman Naval Warfare; A Study of Strategy, Tactics, and Ship Design from Salamis

by William Ledyard Rodgers

This reissue of a 1937 classic covers ancient naval warfare from the Greco-Persian War to the Campaign of Actium.

Preface
I Objectives of Naval Warfare
II Greco-Persian War- Marathon
III Greco-Persian Wars- Salamis and Mycale
IV Peloponnesian War
V Dionysius- Sicily and Carthage
VI The Pentere and Its Oars
VII Exercises and Stratagems of the Greek Fleets
VIII Alexander's Naval Campaigns
IX Naval Wars of Alexander's Successors
X First Punic War
XI Second Punic War
XII War of Rhodes and Pergamum against Macedon
XIII War of Rome and Antiochus
XIV Naval Warfare in the First Century B.C.
XV Naval Wars of Caesar, 49-45 B.C.
XVI Campaign of Philippi, 42 B.C.
XVII Sicilian War, 38-36 B.C.
XVIII Campaign of Actium, 31 B.C.
Index.

Genres: Ancient History, History, Military History, Naval History

555 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1937

About the author

William Ledyard Rodgers was a vice admiral of the United States Navy. His career included service in the Spanish–American War and World War I, and a tour as President of the Naval War College. Rodgers was also a noted historian on military and naval topics, particularly relating to ancient naval warfare.

Reviews

['Aussie Rick' · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book was first published in 1937 and many of its references may be a bit dated it still offers a novice in this field of history and enjoyable and interesting read. The author, a retired Vice Admiral (USN), tells a great story using numerous primary and secondary sources available to the historian at that time.

The book covers the history of naval warfare; weapons, tactics, and strategy in a general manner that is very easy to read and understand and quite engaging. The book covers the period from the Greco-Persian War in the early part of the fifth century B.C. to the battle of Actium in 31 B.C. covering all the major battles and campaigns that occurred during this era.

We read of all those famous engagements, and some lesser know battles, between the Greeks and Persians, between Athens and Sparta, and the many Roman encounters with Carthage and the Roman expansion into the Mediterranean world.

The book offers the reader 540 pages of text with a number of maps and line drawings offering details of the fighting ships in use at the time. Overall I would recommend this title to anyone who has a love for this period of history or who just enjoys a good history book, but keep in mind that it was published before the Second World War.

[Mary Mimouna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, but more oriented toward scholars than to the general reader.

[Hotspur · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the finest treatments of the history and technology of ancient galley warfare to ever be in print. A fantastic book.