In the chaotic world of ancient maritime trade, a common set of rules was needed to govern disputes on the high seas. The most influential and respected of these was the Rhodian Sea Law. Originating from the great naval and commercial power of Rhodes, this code provided a legal framework for everything from jettisoned cargo to piracy and partnerships in shipping ventures. This episode hoists the sail on ancient maritime law. While the original Rhodian code is lost, we explore its principles as they were preserved and incorporated into later Roman and Byzantine legal texts. We examine its most famous concept: the law of "general average," which dictated that if cargo was thrown overboard to save a ship in a storm, the loss would be shared proportionally by all the merchants who had goods on board. The Rhodian Sea Law is a remarkable example of early international commercial law. It was so practical and fair that its principles were adopted throughout the Mediterranean and remained the basis for maritime law for over a thousand years. It demonstrates how the practical needs of commerce can create a legal system that transcends borders.