The book by a prominent British historian is a vivid and incredibly captivating account of all aspects of life in the Mediterranean, including climatic conditions, geography, flora, and fauna. However, Bradford focuses primarily on the rich and multifaceted history of this region. He writes about the Etruscans, Phoenicians, Greeks, and Persians; tells about the ships they sailed on, and the wars they fought. He presents the Peloponnesian War, analyzes the Greeks' relations with the East, and the struggle between Rome and Carthage. He shows how Rome became the Eternal City, then the pendulum swung eastward, leading to the rise of Constantinople.
The author pays great attention to the relationships between the Western and Eastern Roman Empires, Arab conquests, the Crusades, the fall of Byzantium, the arrival of the Turks, the consequences of Napoleon's campaigns, and the two world wars. He describes great naval battles and the people who participated in them.
