This publication results from the contributions of five different authors on the understanding of ships in the ancient world, presenting five case studies that explore navigation in the Eastern Mediterranean before the Roman Imperial fleets became a regular presence. It is a combination of studies derived from an international workshop held in Nicosia (2014) and subsequent writings, and the authors come from varied backgrounds, which contributes to a multidisciplinary approach. This is stated as one of the purposes in the preface, written by A. Bresson: one of the intentions is to see how ancient nautical studies can contribute towards the understanding of the wider economic context of the ancient Mediterranean, but also to a greater perception of ancient societies and cultures (p. xvi). Throughout the volume different approaches are being presented, some of which are more archaeological, while others are based on ancient textual sources, iconography, geography and comparative history. This combination of approaches frames the study within the most up-to-date historiographical currents regarding ancient ships, which involve the recourse to several multidisciplinary methodologies. This premise is reinforced throughout the preface, which insists on the importance of confronting archaeological evidence with ancient textual sources. The study of ancient ships is of equal importance for the understanding of the transformation of ancient city-states in the Mediterranean into large maritime empires, the ancient thalassocracies, which is well-expressed in the title: from Polis to Empire.

In Chapter 1, ‘The Hellenistic Merchantmen: a Contribution to the Study of the Mediterranean Economies’, Nantet focuses on ancient merchant ships and how they can be used to infer economic information. Nantet attempts to stir away from a perspective focusing more on the cargo than on the ships when analysing shipwrecks. This situation, especially for eastern Mediterranean contexts, is explained by an initial absence of archaeological data, which has changed following discoveries in the last few years and continues to change. The growth in importance of maritime archaeology, which Nantet practises, has contributed to an increasing change in traditional perspectives, which were more focused on individual areas – ship archaeology was not yet being used in an interdisciplinary context on a regular basis during the early decades of the twentieth century. In this chapter, which also serves as an introduction, Nantet proposes that the volume be used as a means to create a framework for the future rather than overly extensive research: it is, therefore, the first step of what will hopefully be a long journey in nautical studies.

Chapter 2, ‘Evolutions of the Representation of the Eastern Mediterranean in the Hellenistic Period’, by J.-M. Kowalski, has a strong focus on the analysis of literary sources, of which he singles out the Stadiasmus (Periplus Maris Magni), Strabo's Geography and the Homeric works. The natural challenges of this process, created by the limited amount of evidence and the difficult interpretation of the extant evidence, are acknowledged by Kowalski. However, the resources are explored in a way that allows further insight into ancient trading routes, and valuable maps are provided that facilitate the understanding of ancient navigation routes as seen in these ancient sources. The difficult calculation of distances, together with some insight into the meteorological conditions and the effects of seasonal navigation, enable an approach to what may have been the influential conditions of winter and summer weather (particularly in terms of winds). There is also a strong influence of geographical insight, provided by the mapped analysis of locations mentioned by the sources as navigational landmarks, which may have aided ancient sailors to keep ships on the usual route. Kowalski further notes the importance of visual cues provided by ancient sources to help researchers locate specific places: whereas sources do not always provide the reader with a name, visual information may be a valuable aid to locate the sites.

P. Pomey, in ‘Naval Architecture. The Hellenistic Hull Design: Origin and Evolution’, focuses extensively on archaeological matters. This chapter reminds readers of the importance of the Hellenistic period for Mediterranean ships, as they became some of the most long-lasting vessels sailing across this sea, whether in terms of trade or military activities. Pomey presents a representative sample of different origins, which include creations of ‘Greek, Roman and Punic shipyards’ (p. 29). The main characteristics of these ships, which have been acknowledged and verified by several archaeological findings in the past few years, are described, giving insights into construction methods. This includes, amongst other features, the use of mortice-and-tenon joints, a carvel construction (as opposed, for instance, to clinker construction) and the presence of a keel. It is on this latter element that Pomey focuses in this chapter, exemplifying it with a few well-known cases, such as the Kyrenia shipwreck, the Marsala ships and the Madrague de Giens. The interpretation of each shipwreck is accompanied by several illustrations and diagrams, which enable a better understanding of these construction methods and how the different elements in the construction of an ancient ship can fit together. Whenever possible, reconstructions are shown as well as photographs of the shipwrecks in situ and surviving iconographic records.

In Chapter 4, ‘Naves Pingere: ‘Painting Ships’ in the Hellenistic Period’, M. Galinier and Nantet look at etymological matters. Through the study of several ancient sources, from the Homeric period to the Hellenistic era, the authors research the cultural and social significance and distinction that may have existed between a ship painter and a painter of ships. This contributes to an observation of the representation of ships, regarding the matter of its absence or frequency and how it was interpreted by ancient artists, while also providing insight into another occupation, regarding the individuals who would adorn these ancient ships. The apotropaic character of many elements adorning ancient ships, their symbolism and continuity is a component that has still been scarcely studied and for which this chapter provides a greater understanding.

Nantet also seeks to outline another physical component of ancient ships in Chapter 5, ‘The Rise of the Tonnage in the Hellenistic Period’, which he integrates in the wider spectrum of ancient harbours and ship sheds. The purpose of this chapter is to provide some understanding regarding the tonnage of ancient ships of the Hellenistic period, through the observation of several shipwrecks found across the Mediterranean as well as epigraphic evidence. This investigation concludes that there are two possible moments of tonnage increase, the first during the early second century bce and the second towards the end of the second and the beginning of the first century bce. Chronologically, this creates a bridge between the Hellenistic era and the early stages of the construction of the Roman Empire. Nantet notes how the construction of larger ships may have influenced the management of ancient harbours, especially in terms of regulation, and how population growth and the increase in trade value may have influenced this new surge in ships that are larger and more capable of traveling long-distance routes. The chapter presents a series of matters regarding the question of interconnectivity, both in terms of chronological evolution and geographical connections, through trade, of spaces that were, until then, kept mostly separate.

The last chapter, ‘A Note on the Navigation Space of the Baris-Type Ships from Thonis-Heracleion’ by A. Belov, presents new perspectives regarding a very specific ship type, the baris, taking plenty of insight from recent archaeological discoveries. The baris, described by ancient sources, is now the object of new studies, as archaeological surveys have revealed a series of ships of this type that have not been entirely excavated yet. These are delta ships, riverine vessels that would be sailing along the Nile, which, as Belov reminds us, had different characteristics during ancient times and, therefore, presented distinct navigation difficulties or benefits. The particularities of a baris ship are explored, in particular regarding its potential to face winds when sailing along the Nile or the possibility of it being a ‘fluvio-maritime’ craft (p. 95), with the ability to sail both along the river delta and coastal areas. Confronting archaeological and written records (with particular focus on Herodotus), and including analyses of chemical and biological elements (such as the presence or absence of the Teredo Navalis, a shipworm that often deteriorates Mediterranean shipwrecked vessels), Belov provides an insightful guide, accompanied by graphics, iconography and shipwreck photographs, which enables a greater understanding of the physical characteristics of these ancient and relatively unknown vessels.

This work is a worthy and innovative contribution to its field. The visual component is a valuable asset towards the understanding of the subject, and the inclusion of different themes, explored through varied approaches, allows for a greater understanding of the most recent work in nautical studies of the ancient Mediterranean, bringing important input into a subject that has been growing in visibility during the past few years, due to new technologies and the irreplaceable role of underwater archaeological surveys. The bibliographies of the different chapters provide a valuable collection of both early ship studies, updated and very recent publications, and ancient sources, in which researchers can find passages for further consideration. The illustration list, which includes ancient iconography, also contributes to this purpose. Even though the nature of the various chapters seems, at first, rather different, readers will soon realise that they are connected by the same approach and purpose, marking the work's methodological position and serving as a practical guide to researchers who may wish to further their knowledge and future investigation into these matters. Its proposed timeframe, albeit focusing on the Hellenistic era, often ends up transposing towards the more remote period of the Homeric tales and occasionally extends into the Roman imperial period, especially as regards iconographic surveys, due to the scarcity of material. This allows the work to go beyond its initial scope and to consider matters such as technological capacities, shipbuilding techniques, harbour characteristics and mental and socio-economical influence of ship trade with a long-term view, another mark of its multidisciplinary approach.