Classis

• ‘Classis’ means ‘Fleet’ in Latin and refers to the Roman Navy.
• The two main Naval Fleets of Roman Italy were based at Misenum on the Tyrrhenian Sea in the West, and Ravenna on the Adriatic in the East.

Classis Misenensis

• Based at Portus Julius, Misenum near Naples, this was set up by Augustus in 27 BCE.
• It had 250 vessels, part Triremes part Biremes with 10,000 sailors.
• Its Role was to suppress piracy, protect the Alexandrian Grain Fleet and transport Provincial Officials.

Classis Ravennas

• Based at Classe in Ravenna, it was also set up by Augustus between 35-12 BCE.
• The Harbour could accommodate 250 ships, according to Jordanes writing in the 6th century CE, who was quoting Dio Cassius.
• Its Role was to prevent the return of Piracy along the coast of Dalmatia, and maintain links with Greece and the Provinces in the East.

The Major Roman Provincial Navies

• Classis Alexandrina
  • The Nile
• Classis Syriaca
  • The Syrian coast
• Classis Germanica
  • The Rhine
• Classis Britannica
  • Southern England
• Classis Moesica
  • The Lower Danube
• Classis Pannonica
  • The Upper Danube
• Classis Pontica
  • The Black Sea

The Minor Roman Provincial Navies in the Antonine Itinerary (4th century CE)

• Classis Africana Commodiana Herculea (Carthage, Tunisia)
• Classis Anderetianorum (Paris, France)
• Classis Aquitanica (Bordeaux, France)
• Classis Ararica (River Saone, France)
• Classis Sambrica (River Somme, France)
• Classis Venetum (Aquileia, Italy)
• Classis Comensis (Lake Como, Italy)
• Classis Fluminis Rhodani (Arles, Marseilles, France)
• Classis Barcariorum (Lake Neuchatel, Switzerland)
• Classis Comaginensis (Comagena, Danube, Austria)
• Classis Arlapensis et Maginensis (Comagena, Danube, Austria)
• Classis Laureacensis (Lauriacum, Danube)
• Classis Ratianensis (Dacia Ripensis, Roumania)
• Classis Stradensis et Germensis (Margus, Danube, Serbia)
• Classis Perinthia (Perinthus, Aegean)
• Classis Mauretaniae (Cherchel, Algeria)
• Classis Nova Libyca (Nile Delta, Egypt)