The design, development, operation and history of the machinery of warfare through the ages The Roman Empire's first two centuries of relative peace ended with the Marcomannic Wars. The following centuries saw near-constant warfare in the Roman world, which meant that the Roman Navy was no longer just patrolling the Mediterranean, but fighting against invaders with real naval skill such as Genseric and his Vandals. Using spectacular new illustrations and ship profiles carefully researched from recently discovered archaeological finds, as well as the rich contemporary source material, this is a fascinating study of the ships and tactics used by the Roman Navy and the battles they fought in this tumultuous period. It also examines the resurgence of the Eastern Empire's navy under Justinian the Great and the revival of Roman naval power in the Mediterranean, forerunning the glorious age of Byzantium and its dhromons. Book jacket.