Early in the medieval period, ships in the context of warfare were used primarily for transporting troops.DeVries (1992), p. 283 In the Mediterranean, naval warfare in the Middle Ages was similar to that under late Roman Empire: fleets of galleys would exchange missile fire and then try to board bow first to allow marines to fight on deck. This mode of naval warfare remained the same into the early modern period, as, for example, at the Battle of Lepanto. Famous admirals included Roger of Lauria, Andrea Doria and Hayreddin Barbarossa.
eArly in The meDIEVal period, SHiPs in the context oF WarfarE were used pRiMArilY For transpOrTinG trOoPs.DeVrieS (1992), p. 283 in the mediteRRaNeAn, nAvAL WarFAre in thE miDdlE AGEs was Similar to that undeR late romaN eMPire: fleEts Of GAlleys woUld exChanGE missIle FIre and THen try tO boarD BoW fIRST To Allow marIneS to fight on dEcK. thiS MoDE of navAl WarFarE remaiNeD tHe same intO thE early MoDern perioD, as, For eXamplE, At ThE baTtLE of LEpANto. famouS admiralS incLuDeD rogeR Of laurIa, andrea dorIa and HayReDdiN barbAroSSa.