Part of Conway's History of the Ship series, this volume deals with Mediterranean developments from the earliest re corded history, but concentrates on the oared vessel in all its varieties from pre-classical times, through the eras of the trireme and its many-banked successors, to the final extinction of the last galley fleets in the 18th century. Besides the ships themselves, background chapters cover such issues as navigation and shiphandling and rowing systems. John Morrison is the author of Greek Oared Ships and The Athenian Trireme.