Arab seafaring in the Indian Ocean in ancient and early medieval times / by George F. Hourani ; revised and expanded by John Carswell.

Originally thesis (doctoral) -- Princeton University.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 157-177) and index.

CHAPTER I. Trade routes in the pre-Islamic Era : Prehistory and Geography - The East before Alexander - The Persian Gulf in Hellenistic and Roman Times - The Red Sea in Hellenistic and Roman Times - The Sassanid and Byzantine between Persian Gulf - Appendix : Direct Sailing between the Persian Gulf and China in pre-Islamic Times -- CHAPTER II. Trade routes under the Caliphate : General Consequences of the Islamic Expansion - The Arabs on the Mediterranean - Persian and Arab Sea Trade with the Far East - East Africa and the Coasts of Africa - Later Times -- CHAPTER III. The ships : General Remarks - Hulls and Their Equipment - Masts and Sails - Navigation and Life at Sea - Appendix : Four Sea Stories -- Maps : I. The ancient Orient - II. The Middle East in Graeco-Roman times - III. The Middle East in the sixth century A. D. - IV. The Middle East and East Africa in Abbasid Times - V. The Far East as known to the Arabs - VI. The Indian Ocean today - VII. Lower Egypt - VIII. Recently excavated and other related sites.