Over the Wine-Dark Sea — H.N. Turteltaub

Menedemos was born with enough confidence for three men, and he can switch from threats to charm and back again. But he can also be foolhardy--for instance, risking everything for the chance at another man's wife. Sostratos can perform unheard-of feats with numbers, he knows the old histories and the natural sciences--but he lacks the common touch and, Menedemos would say, common sense. Each of them has strengths the other lacks. Now, in the troubled waters off of Sicily, they face a chance at untold riches . . . if they can evade the massed strength of the Carthaginian fleet.

Colorful, engaging, rich with likeable, human characters, Over the Wine-Dark Sea is historical adventure at its best, in the finest tradition of Steven Pressfield and Patrick O'Brian.