Sea Eagles of Empire: The Classis Britannica and the Battles for Britain

A significant history of the Roman navy based in Britain and the campaigns it fought throughout the Empire The Roman war machine comprised land and naval forces. Although the former has been studied extensively, less has been written and understood about the naval forces of the Roman Empire and, in particular, the regional navies which actively participated in most military operations and policed the seas and rivers of the Empire. Until the mid-third century, in a British context, this navy was the Classis Britannica
a strong fighting force in its own right. The composition, ship types, roles, tactics and technology have never been studied at length. Here Elliot tells the story of this illustrious naval force in their metal- beaked galleys and their exploits defeating enemies of the Empire and keeping the peace around the British Isles. AUTHOR: Simon Elliot is a historian, completing a PhD at the University of Kent in Archaeology. He has a Masters Degree in War Studies from KCL and a Masters Degree in Archaeology from UCL. He is a former editor at both Jane’s Defence Weekly and Flight International and has worked as a defence writer on national newspapers. He has had work published in journals including History Today, RUSI Journal and British Archaeology. SELLING POINTS: . Roman naval campaigns explored in depth through the reigns of different Roman emperors . Long overdue assessment of Roman naval activity rather than legions and land forces . The first volume devoted to Classis Britannica as a fighting force and the role it played in campaigns 16 b/w plates, 33 b/w illustrations