The Ancient Mariners (Paperback)

by Lionel Casson (Author) "IN THE VERY beginning men went down, not to the sea but to quiet waters, and not in ships but in anything that would float:..." (more)
Key Phrases: ancient shipwright, seaward wing, marine archaeology, Black Sea, Strait of Gibraltar, North Africa (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
It is astonishing how much new evidence on ancient seafaring has emerged since the first edition of this book was published. . . . Lionel Casson sets out this new material, and much more. -- Review

Review
It is astonishing how much new evidence on ancient seafaring has emerged since the first edition of this book was published. . . . Lionel Casson sets out this new material, and much more.
(The Classical Outlook )

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Product Details

• Paperback: 299 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press; 2 edition (August 26, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691014779
• ISBN-13: 978-0691014777
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #377,663 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not A Slow Boat, June 13, 2000

By	Holy Olio "holy_olio" (Grand Rapids, MI USA) - See all my reviews

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.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A marvelous book essencial to the study of ancient history, October 10, 1998

By	M. Ramos "macoram" (Funchal, Madeira Island Portugal) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Ancient Mariners: Seafarers and Sea Fighters of the Mediterranean in Ancient Times (Hardcover)

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.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars enlightenment for the ignorant, April 1, 2007

By	Beverly M. Carl "Beverly Carl" (Santa Fe,New Mexico,US) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.