Lords of the Sea: The Epic Story of the Athenian Navy and the Birth of Democracy

by John R. Hale Narrated by David Drummond

Overview

The navy created by the people of Athens in ancient Greece was one of the finest fighting forces in the history of the world and the model for all other national navies to come. The Athenian navy built a civilization, empowered the world's first democracy, and led a band of ordinary citizens on a voyage of discovery that altered the course of history. Its defeat of the Persian fleet at Salamis in 480 B.C.E. launched the Athenian Golden Age and preserved Greek freedom and culture for centuries.



With Lords of the Sea, renowned archaeologist and historian John R. Hale presents, for the first time, the definitive history of the epic battles, the indomitable ships, and the men-from extraordinary leaders to seductive rogues-who established Athens's supremacy. With a scholar's insight and a storyteller's flair, Hale takes us on an illustrated tour of the heroes, their turbulent careers, and their far-flung expeditions and brings back to life a forgotten maritime empire and its majestic legacy.

Editorial Reviews

Dwight Garner

Mr. Hale's sea-level view of Athens during its Golden Age is…a novel and gripping way to approach a story that has been told many times before…Mr. Hale's simple but vigorous sentences prick up your ears from the first page.
—The New York Times

Publishers Weekly

Historian and archeologist Hale brings both skill sets to bear in this account of an Athens whose golden age and democratic institutions depended on its navy. Between 489 and 322 B.C., Athens built, ruled and lost an empire extending from the Aegean to the Black Sea. The sea permeated every sphere of Athenian life, and most well-known Athenians were identified with sea power: Thucydides and Sophocles commanded fleets. The fleets were based on triremes, reflecting a doctrine favoring the craft and cunning of the steersman and rowers over brute force. Those skills were a product of the commitment and cooperation of free men who played an increasing role in Athenian politics at the expense of those better off and higher born. In times of crisis, all free adult males were expected to board the triremes. Athens's rule of the sea came to an end when a cabal of aristocrats betrayed the fleet to the Macedonians. And that was possible only because the "mysterious spiritual essence" sustaining Athenian effort and sacrifice had been lost as well. (June)

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From the Publisher

"You'd have to be half asleep already not to become hooked by the first few paragraphs of John Hale's Lords of the Sea - The Cleveland Plain Dealer "Hale's simple but vigorous sentences prick up your ears from the first page...one hopes to hear more from him."-Dwight Garner, The New York Times "With something for almost everyone, "Lords of the Sea" tells an important story and imparts to him who wants to learn important lessons. It's well worth the read." -Washington Times "Dr. Hale's sparkling creation, that rare history so brilliantly told that, like the Athenian democracy, it is truly for all people." - Louisville Courier-Journal "Historian and archeologist Hale brings both skill sets to bear in this account of an Athens whose golden age and democratic institutions depended on its navy." - Publishers Weekly

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171272159
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	06/01/2009
Edition description:	Unabridged

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