La guerra sul mare nel Mediterraneo medievale: una revisione

Abstract

This article reconsiders naval warfare in the medieval Mediterranean as a distinct system of conflict rather than a mere extension of land warfare. It analyses tactical and technological change – from amphibious operations to the impact of gunpowder artillery – alongside the economic and logistical challenges of sustaining fleets. By integrating evidence from chronicles, state archives, and technical manuals, it argues that maritime powers such as Genoa, Venice, and Pisa developed strategies that linked warfare, commerce, and political dominance. The study highlights how naval conflict functioned as both a military and cultural phenomenon, revealing the interplay between innovation, identity, and power across the Mediterranean world.