Piracy in the Graeco-Roman World

by Philip de Souza

• ISBN13: 9780521481373
• ISBN10: 0521481376
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-01-28
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

This book is an innovative historical study of piracy in the Graeco-Roman world from the Archaic period to Late Antiquity. It explores the conditions which allowed piracy to flourish in the ancient Mediterranean, especially the close relationship between warfare and piracy, and examines the impact which pirates had upon ancient society. Particular attention is paid to the numerous states and rulers who claimed to be actively suppressing piracy for the good of all. In many cases these claims turn out to be highly exaggerated ones, intended to enhance the prestige of those on whose behalf they were made. Surprisingly, in view of the prominence of pirates in many works of classical literature, this book is the first to offer detailed analysis of the portrayal of piracy by ancient writers, including Homer, Cicero and the ancient novels, taking account of the political, social and literary contexts which shaped their accounts.

Table of Contents

List of plates	viii
Acknowledgements	ix
Maps	xi
Introduction	1	(14)
The origins of piracy from the Bronze Age to Alexander	15	(28)
Hellenistic piracy	43	(54)
Cilician piracy	97	(52)
Pompey and the pirates	149	(30)
Pax Romana	179	(46)
Piracy in Late Antiquity	225	(16)
Conclusions	241	(2)
Bibliography	243	(11)
General index	254	(12)
Index of sources	266