The Great Sea

The Great Sea by David Abulafia explores the Mediterranean Sea's vital role in shaping civilizations over millennia, emphasizing its significance for trade, culture, and empire dynamics. Covering a broad historical span from prehistory to the modern era, the book highlights the region's diverse peoples—sailors, merchants, migrants, and pirates—and their interactions that foster both rivalry and cooperation. With a focus on the sea's influence on political, economic, and cultural exchanges, it offers a comprehensive account of one of humanity’s most interconnected regions.