Classic

Is there a link between our word 'Classics' and the Latin word 'Classis', meaning fleet? And also our word 'Class'? I think there probably is. This would be an excellent starting point for any discussion of the relationship of political structures, war, society and language.

I would assume that the derivation would be from the socio-political divisions in Roman society - that a certain part of the Roman people were 'classified' for service with the fleet. I also assume that these would be likely to be the urban poor, much as in democratic Athens - freemen paid to row - a backbreaking demonstration of their commitment to the state.

I think I may have solved part of the riddle about Carthaginian naval inferiority in the first and second Punic wars - their own 'class' system. Given the structure of oligarchic, mercantile and capitalist (the last may be going too far) Carthage and its empire, shipowners would have likely been the mercantile elite, or even the state. Given this, the owners would be unwilling to risk loading the potentially treacherous Carthaginian mercenary footsoldiers on board - especially given the frequency of desertion and treachery.

The Roman advantage at sea was to do with their use of the simpler massed boarding tactics which suited their heavier, inexperienced craft overloaded with Marines. This tactic was possible because of the greater degree of centralisation and central command that Rome possessed beyond that of its Carthaginian enemies. If the Carthaginians had been able to draft Punic citizens for service or rely on its allies not to sail off in the ship, they would have countered Rome's implausible naval advantage and perhaps may have even been victorius.

So it's (still) about the franchise and its effect on war-making.