Digital Maps of the Ancient World

The Roman Navy

Dive into the expansive world of the Roman navy with our curated reading list, meticulously assembled to offer a comprehensive understanding of Rome’s maritime prowess.

Explore the evolution of Rome’s naval forces from humble beginnings to mastery of the Mediterranean seas, delving into the construction, organization, and strategic deployment of Roman warships. From the innovative designs of ancient Roman vessels to the tactics employed in naval warfare, our selection of scholarly works covers a broad spectrum of topics, providing insights into the technological advancements and logistical challenges faced by the Roman navy. Uncover the pivotal role of naval power in safeguarding trade routes, projecting Roman influence across distant shores, and securing the empire’s vast maritime territories. Whether you’re intrigued by the legendary battles of Actium and Mylae or the daily lives of sailors and shipbuilders, our reading list offers a wealth of resources to satiate your curiosity and deepen your knowledge of Rome’s formidable naval force.

General

• Bearzotti, M.J., The First Punic War and the Development of the Roman Navy, 2006.
• DeSantis, M.G., Rome Seizes the Trident: the Defeat of Carthaginian Seapower and the Forging of the Roman Empire, Barnsley, 2016.
• Mason, D.J.P., Roman Britain and the Roman Navy, Stroud, 2003.
• Pitassi, M., The Roman Navy: Ships, Men & Warfare, 350 BC – AD 475, Barnsley, 2012.
• Spaul, J.E.H., Classes Imperii Romani: An Epigraphic Examination of the Men of the Imperial Roman Navy, Andover, 2002.
• Starr, C.G., The Roman Imperial Navy: 31 BC-AD 324, Chicago, 1941.

Further Reading

• D’Amato, R., Imperial Roman Naval Forces: 31 BC-AD 500, Oxford, 2009.
• D’Amato, R., Republican Roman Warships: 509-27 BC, Oxford, 2015.
• D’Amato, R., Imperial Roman Warships: 27 BC-AD 193, Oxford, 2016.
• D’Amato, R., Imperial Roman Warships: 193-565 AD, Oxford, 2017.
• Philp, B., The Excavation of the Roman Forts of the Classis Britannica at Dover, 1970-1977, Kent, 1981.
• Wolfson, S., Tacitus, Thule and Caledonia: the Achievements of Agricola’s Navy in their True Perspective, Oxford, 2008.