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A primary (though late) source is Vegetius' "Epitome".
Half of Book IV is devoted to the navy and half of that deals
with naval warfare. Note that some modern translations
often omit Book IV which deals with Siege and Naval warfare.
So, anyone wishing to buy Vegetius should make sure it
includes all four books.
Good luck with your search.
~Theo
Jaime
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Hi Dan,
Just came across this one tonight which may be of interest - if its too late for you just let me know.
The Age of the Dromon: The Byzantine Navy CA. 500-1204
by John H Pryor, Elizabeth M Jeffreys
About this title: This volume examines the development and evolution of the war galley known as the Dromon, and its relative, the Chelandion, from first appearance in the sixth century until its supercession in the twelfth century by the Galea developed in the Latin West. Beginning as a small, fully-decked, monoreme galley, by the tenth century the Dromon had become a bireme, the pre-eminent war galley of the Mediterranean. The salient features of these ships were their two-banked oarage system, the spurs at their bows which replaced the ram of classical antiquity, their lateen sails, and their primary weapon: Greek Fire. The book contextualizes the technical characteristics of the ships within the operational history of Byzantine fleets, logistical problems of medieval naval warfare, and strategic objectives. Surviving Byzantine sources, especially tactical manuals, are subjected to close literary and phiological analysis.
Stephen McCotter
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I just taken 4 volumes about the argument (two in italian and two in french language):
Jean Pagès: recherces sur la guerre navale dans l'antiquité
Jean Pagès: recherces sur les thalossocraties antiques
Stefano Medas: La marineria cartaginese (the cathaginian seamanship)
Filippo Avilia: Atlante delle navi greche e romane (The atlas of greek and roman ships).
This latter is particular beautiful because Avila (being a archaeologist, specilyzed in subaqueous recerche ) start from the navy finds, with many beautiful images of these one.
a book in english is the "age of galley" of Conway, which speak of oared ships from preclassical time just to modern era.
"Each historical fact needs to be considered, insofar as possible, no with hindsight and following abstract universal principles, but in the context of own proper age and environment" Aldo A. Settia
a.k.a Davide Dall\'Angelo
SISMA- Società Italiana per gli Studi Militari Antichi
