Customer Reviews

The Ancient Mariners

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4 star:		(1)
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This is the first of Casson's titles I read, in the old edition, and I plan to read the new edition which I have in fact purchased. The new edition has been extensively edited, with some new material, but the chapter structure appears to be very much the same as in the old edition. This work is an excellent companion to Casson's "Travel In The Ancient World", but is not about travel. The construction of ships is very old, and the evolution of building methods and sheer size during ancient times makes for fascinating reading. Casson gets my vote for most readable historian, at least regarding ancient history, and I doubt that anyone with an interest in ships and sailing would be able to put this down. Casson's discussion of ancient commercial connections in the Indian Ocean, or the relative size of (for example) the grain hauling behemoths and the much smaller vessels of our more familiar "Age of Sail" should be of interest to those who think Columbus was last, as well as to those with more conventional views.

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.

I loved this book. I know nothing about ships or sailing (except sitting as a passive passenger). Hence, I was surprised when I found myself: (1) able to understand most of what he said; (2) thoroughly enjoying it; and (3) incorporating this feast of knowledge into my understanding of ancient history. So keen on it am I, I'm sending a copy to my brother who had a career in the Navy, in addition to handling his own small boats.

We know so little about seamanship in the ancient world. What seem like simple questions cannot be conclusively answered. Partially because archeology is difficult with wooden vessels of which no remains can be found and partly because so few individuals engaged in maritime activity. This book collects what is known and integrates it into the history of the time.

The history of early civilization is a history of the Mediterranean (apologies to the Americas and Asia) and this grand sea is the center point of enormous activity and integrates so many different cultures and empires. This book improves our understanding of how men covered this body of water and the challenges they faced and the technology they applied.

Slightly pedantic, but this cannot be helped since the subject matter requires it. Highly recommended.

I found this book to be a great read, it flows more like a novel than any dry technical text. Casson is a great writer; I will spare you any quotations, but there are several that would provide a prime example of Mr. Casson's writing skill. I read this together with his Ships And Seafaring In Ancient Times, the two go together like meat and potatoes. By the end of this book I was severely critiquing all those shows on the History Channel that depict ancient ships of any kind. You will know, and be able to describe in fine detail, the difference between a Penteconter and a Trireme, the role of the Pentecontarchos in the Athenian Navy of the fourth century B.C., or the technical questions of the actual configuration of the "Forty" of Ptolemy IV. EXTREMELY enjoyable, especially since Casson takes the time to flesh out some of the major characters of ancient history like Archimedes, Demosthenes, Phormio, and Odysseus by providing details as to their personal lives. Absolutely a fantastic book.

Although somewhat dated, still an entertaining review of Mediterranean-based navies prior to the Battle of Lepanto.

I say "entertaining" rather than "informative" because the author attempts to cover about 3000 years' history in only 218 pages. Furthermore, some of his opinions/conclusions are a bit, um, controversial, shall we say, and a more detailed and balanced account in some cases would have been useful.

Despite its title, other navies, such as the Chinese, are not covered.