Lords of the Sea: The Epic Story of the Athenian Navy and the Birth of Democracy
John R Hale
I read Lords of the Sea: The Epic Story of the Athenian Navy and the Birth of Democracy 12 years ago (4-Jan-2011). I was of course aware of Athens as one of the first democracies (debatable, of course, but that's what their advertising claimed). And of course it's famous for such philosophers as Plato and Socrates. I knew that at Salamis (the harbor town of Athens) one of the most important sea battles of history was won. I have even read the books of Xenophon and Thucydides. I had thus managed to delude myself into believing I understood something of Athenian history.
I was mistaken! Historian and Archaeologist John R. Hale tells the story of how Athens rose to power because of the strength of its navy. And eventually fell from power. Oared ships underlay the power that supported the Greatest Hits I listed above. The Battle of Salamis is described well here.