Over the Wine-Dark Sea — Harry Turtledove

Menedemos, the young dashing sea captain, and his helper, the scholarly Sostratos, are sea-traders from the Greek island of Rhodes. Fearless sailors, they will travel any distance to make a profit or to search for rich treasures.

While they trade in fineries such as wine and silk (and even, to the chagrin of many, peacocks), they live in dangerous times with pirates, thieves and barbarians. As if avoiding death by the hands of these miscreants isn't enough (particularly the barbarians from an obscure town called Rome), they are also caught between the political intrigues of Alexander's former generals.

“A mountain of solid scholarship entertainingly dished out” -- Publishers Weekly

“A painless way to learn history is to read a well-researched historical novel such as this latest from Turteltaub.” -- Library Journal