Convergence or Divergence?

Abstract

This chapter discusses whether the evolution of naval warfare in Asia followed a similar or divergent trajectory as compared to the development of navies in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Probably the use of rams and spurs encouraged the shipbuilders of the Mediterranean to use iron. We find convergence in the use of naphtha/Greek fire. In all likelihood, independent evolution of this weapons technology occurred in China and the Byzantine Empire. The distance between Alexandria and Constantinople is less than the distance separating Peking and Sri Vijaya by sea. This explains the divergence between the development of navies between Eastern Eurasia and the Mediterranean. China, Korea and Japan constituted the Far Eastern maritime tradition. The Indian Ocean maritime tradition comprised South-East Asia, India and Arabia. The characteristic feature of combat in the Mediterranean Sea during the medieval and the early modern era was the confrontation between the Islamic and Christian powers.

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