Description

For the best part of three centuries the 'corsairs' or pirates from the 'Barbary' coasts of North Africa dominated the Western and Central Mediterranean. They made forays far into the Atlantic, preying on the shipping and coastal settlements across Christian Europe, ranging from Greece to West Africa and the British Isles. In the absence of organized European navies they seldom faced serious opposition, and the scope of their raiding was remarkable. As well as piracy and slave-raiding they fought as privateers, sharing their spoils with the rulers of the port-cities that provided them with ships, men, and a ready market. This book examines their development and their style of fighting, chronicles their achievements and failures, and illustrates their appearance and that of their ships, explaining why they were so feared and effective.

Table of Contents

Introduction/ Chronology/ Background – the Barbary states/ Organization/ Galleys/ Appearance – arms and armour/ Warfare and tactics/ In action – period descriptions/ Glossary and Bibliography/ Plate commentaries

Product details

Published Aug 25 2016
Format Ebook (Epub)
Edition 1st
Extent 64
ISBN 9781472815453
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 30 b/w; 28 col
Series Elite
Short code ELI 213
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Angus Konstam

Angus Konstam is a Fellow of the Royal Historical…

Illustrator

Gerry Embleton

Gerry Embleton has been a leading illustrator an…

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