Greek Oared Ships 900–322 BC

This is an attempt at a thorough study of the evidence, both literary and archaeological, for nautical practice in Greek antiquity.

J. S. Morrison (Author), R. T. Williams (Author)

9780521054133, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 21 January 2008

400 pages
24.7 x 18.9 x 2.1 cm, 0.721 kg

This book is written in the belief that a proper understanding of Greek civilization in antiquity requires some knowledge of its background of seafaring. A knowledge of nautical practice is required for an understanding of some passages of Greek poetry and prose writing, and for a correct interpretation of numerous historical events. This is an attempt at a thorough study of the evidence, both literary and archaeological. Modern reference books tend to repeat the misconceptions of nineteenth-century scholars. In contrast, Mr Morrison and Mr Williams have written a scholarly and scientific study of the subject. They collect in this volume evidence for Greek oared ships between 900 and 322 BC. The book is primarily a catalogue of decorated pottery and quotations from literature and from naval inventories. The pottery is illustrated by diagrams and plates; and the quotations are given in full.

Preface
Abbreviations
Introduction
Part I. The Homeric Period 900–700 BC: 1. Ships of the Bronze Age
2. Ships of the geometric period
3. Literary texts
Part II. The Archaic Period: 700–480 BC: 4. Catalogue of ship representations
5. Literary and epigraphical texts
6. Accounts deriving from the later fifth century
Part III. The Classical Period 480–322 BC: 7. Catalogue of ship representations
8. The ship-sheds D. J. Blackman
9. Written evidence
10. Sea power in the Aegean: 480–322 BC
11. Written evidence
12. Handling
Maps
Bibliography and opus abbreviations
Glossaries
Index to collections
Index of Greek and Latin words
General index.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB]