ANTH 417
Si vis pacem, para bellum
“If you wish for peace, prepare for war”
Vegetius, De re militari
Prof. Cemal Pulak
Nautical Archaeology Program, Department of Anthropology
Office hours: TR 1:00-2:00 p.m. & 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Location: Anthropology 128A
Email: pulak@tamu.edu
Phone: 845‐6697 (office) /845‐5242 (department)
Course Description
This course covers the naval warfare and warships of the two major maritime powers in the Ancient Mediterranean: Greece in the East, and Rome in the West. Chronologically, the course covers the Bronze Age (Ancient Egypt and the mythical Trojan War) to the Imperial Roman Navy. The course focuses on the Greek Navy during the Persian Wars (499-449 B.C.) and the Peloponnesian Wars (431-404 B.C.), and on the Roman Navy during the Monarchic, Republican, and Imperial period. The course provides an extensive survey on Greek and Roman warships, naval warfare, naval strategy and tactics drawing upon many different sources, such as archaeological evidence, literary documentation, and iconographic material.
Course Structure
The format of this course is based upon weekly lectures, illustrated with powerpoints, visual material, and occasional supplementary videos. As I like a lively classroom atmosphere, I strongly encourage students to participate with questions, suggestions, and anything that could enhance the discussion and the exchange of ideas and thoughts in mutual respect.
Prerequisites
none
Course Objectives
- To understand the importance of navies in Ancient History
- To evaluate the significance of ancient naval warfare and warships
- To develop a critical approach to ancient sources discussing naval warfare and tactics
- To analyze the interplay between political dynamics, navies, and naval technology arms race
- To develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to examine evidence and sources, weigh arguments, and analyze cause-and-effect relationships
Textbook / Readings
There are no required readings, but students are encouraged to consult appropriate sections in the following books:
- Dickie, I., and M. Dougherty. 2009. Fighting Techniques of Naval Warfare (1190 BC-present). New York: Metro Books.
- Morrison, J. S. 1996. Greek and Roman Oared Warships. Oxford: Oxbow Books.
- Murray, W. M. 2012. The Age of the Titans. The Rise and Fall of the Great Hellenistic Navies. Oxford/New York: Oxford University Press.
- Pitassi, M. 2009. The Navies of Rome. Woodbridge: The Boydell Press.
- ______. 2011. Roman Warships. Woodbridge: The Boydell Press.
- Pryor, J. H., and E. M. Jefferys. 2006. The Age of the Dromon. The Byzantine Navy, ca. 500-1204. Leiden: Brill.
- Reddé, M. 1986. Mare Nostrum. Les infrastructures, le dispositif et l’histoire de la marine militaire sous l’empire romain. Paris: École Française de Rome.
- Rodgers, W. L. 1964. Greek and Roman Naval Warfare. A Study of Strategy, Tactics, and Ship Design from Salamis (480 BC) to Actium (31 BC). Annapolis: Naval Institute Press.
- Spaul, J. 2002. Classes imperii romani. London: Nectoreca Press.
- Zanker, P. 1988. The Power of Images in the Age of Augustus. Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press.
- Warry, J. 1980. Warfare in the Classical World. New York: St. Martin’s Press.
Exams
There will be two hourly exams and one non-cumulative Final Exam. The format of the exams consists of multiple-choice questions. Be aware that, as the semester progresses, material will build upon and draw from terminology and content presented in earlier lectures. Practice examination questions may be posted on e-Campus at: https://ecampus.tamu.edu.
Basis for Evaluation (Grading Policies)
The final course grade will be based on the criteria described below: A=90‐100 points; B=80‐89 points; C=70‐79 points; D=60‐69 points; F=59 points and below.
| Examination 1 | 100 points | 33% of final grade |
| Examination 2 | 100 points | 33% of final grade |
| Final Examination | 100 points | 34% of final grade |
ALL COURSES
- ANTH 313 – Historical Archaeology
- ANTH 316 – Nautical Archaeology
- ANTH 317 – Introduction To Biblical Archaeology
- ANTH 318 – Nautical Archaeology of the Americas
- ANTH 323 – Nautical Archaeology Of The Ancient Mediterranean
- ANTH 353 – Archaeology Of Ancient Greece
- ANTH 354 – Archaeology of Ancient Italy
- ANTH 402 – Archaeological Artifact Conservation
- ANTH 417 – Naval Warfare & Warships In Ancient Greece And Rome
- ANTH 418 – Romans, Arabs, and Vikings
- ANTH 420 – History and Archaeology of Pirates, Privateers, and Sea Raiders
- ANTH 436 – Ancient Egypt
- ANTH 438 – Ancient Egypt II
- ANTH 464-664 – Cultural Heritage and Resource Management
- ANTH 603 – Seafaring Life and Maritime Communities 1450-1950
- ANTH 605 – Conservation of Archaeological Materials I
- ANTH 606 – Conservation of Archaeological Materials II
- ANTH 608 – Skills in Maritime Archaeology
- ANTH 610 – Outfitting And Sailing The Wooden Ship 1400-1900
- ANTH 611 – Introduction To Nautical Archaeology
- ANTH 612 – Preclassical Seafaring
- ANTH 613 – Classical Seafaring
- ANTH 615 – History Of Wooden Shipbuilding Technology
- ANTH 616 – Research and Reconstruction of Ships
- ANTH 617 – Conservation of Archaeological Materials III
- ANTH 628 – New World Seafaring Anthropology
- ANTH 629 – Post-Medieval Seafaring Anthropology
- ANTH 663 – Analytical Methods in Archaeology and Conservation
- ANTH 685 – Archaeological Diving: Skills and Methods
Course Schedule:
(The schedule is a subject to change, revisions, and refinements which will be posted)
| WEEK 1 |
Egyptian Naval Warfare & Marines, |
|
| WEEK 2 |
Between Myth & Reality: Earliest Naval Battles and Warships in the Mediterranean, |
|
| WEEK 3 |
The Athenian Trireme |
|
| WEEK 4 |
Naval Warfare & Fleets in the Greco-Persian Wars (499-449 B.C.) – Part 2 |
|
| WEEK 5 |
Naval Warfare & Fleets in the Peloponnesian Wars (431-404 B.C.) – Part 2 |
|
| WEEK 6 |
Naval Campaigns of Alexander the Great |
|
| WEEK 7 |
Technology at Sea I: Greek War Machines and Weapons |
|
| WEEK 8 |
The Phoenician and Punic Navy – Part 1 |
|
| SPRING BREAK | ||
| WEEK 9 |
Navigare necesse est: Organization of the Roman Navy (753-27 B.C.) |
|
| WEEK 10 |
Examination 2 Warships and Tactics of the Roman Navy |
|
| WEEK 11 |
Mare Nostrum: Roman Naval Warfare and the Punic Wars (264-146 B.C.) |
|
| WEEK 12 |
Naval Campaigns of Julius Caesar (49-45 B.C.) |
|
| WEEK 13 |
Commemorating Victory II: Roman Naval Monuments & Trophies |
|
| WEEK 14 |
Technology at Sea II: Roman War Machines |
|
| WEEK 15 | Redefined Day—Attend Friday Classes | |
| FINAL EXAM | ||
