The Roman Contribution to the Nautical World

The Romans inherited much of their nautical knowledge from the Greeks and Carthaginians, but they also made significant innovations that shaped naval warfare, trade, and shipbuilding. As the Roman Empire expanded across the Mediterranean, control of the seas became critical to their power.

1. Ship Design and Technology

• Corvus Boarding Device – Romans invented the corvus, a boarding bridge with a spike that allowed soldiers to board enemy ships. This innovation turned sea battles into infantry engagements, which played to Roman strengths.
• Warships and Merchant Vessels – They built large quinqueremes for warfare and sturdy merchant ships (oneraria) for transporting goods and troops across the empire.
• Standardized Shipbuilding – Romans introduced more standardized shipbuilding techniques, allowing them to quickly produce fleets when needed.

2. Navigation and Infrastructure

• Harbor Engineering – Romans constructed advanced harbors such as Portus near Ostia, featuring artificial basins, breakwaters, and lighthouses.
• Lighthouses and Sea Marks – They built lighthouses like the Pharos of Ostia and other navigation aids to guide ships safely.
• Sea Routes and Charts – Romans mapped sea routes extensively, and their itineraries (such as the Antonine Itinerary) detailed key ports and distances.

3. Naval Strategy and Control

• Control of the Mediterranean – The Romans called the Mediterranean “Mare Nostrum” (Our Sea) after achieving dominance, ensuring secure trade and military transport.
• Permanent Naval Bases – They established bases at strategic locations like Misenum and Ravenna to maintain fleets year-round.
• Convoys and Logistics – Romans developed systems for protecting grain fleets and other supply convoys critical for sustaining Rome’s population.

4. Maritime Law and Trade

• Lex Rhodia de Jactu – Romans adopted and expanded maritime laws such as Lex Rhodia de Jactu, which dealt with the sharing of losses when cargo was jettisoned to save a ship.
• Trade Networks – Roman trade relied heavily on maritime transport, connecting Europe, North Africa, and the Near East.

Why It Mattered

The Romans transformed the Mediterranean into a Roman lake, ensuring safe passage for commerce and troops. Their innovations in naval engineering, harbor construction, and maritime law influenced seafaring for centuries, with their legacy continuing through the Byzantine navy and later European maritime powers.