ABSTRACT
Throughout history, the oceans have been important to the political and commercial well-being of civilisations, but perceptions have varied about how the oceans should be used and by whom. Some empires have claimed the oceans as the domain of all peoples and states, open to every commercial and communication need. Others have sought control over large portions of the seas, attempting to exclude all but their own merchantmen and fishermen. It was with these differing views that international maritime law evolved from ancient times to the present. This evolution was sometimes contentious and, for the most part, piecemeal.
