Triremes
Triremes, Athenian ships, were very special and different compared to other ships. These ships were fast, strong, and maneuverable. Triremes were very fast because they have three lines of rowers on each side of the ship. There could have been up to 180 rowers that could help pick up the speed to 10 knots. Turning was easily achieved. Triremes were built with lighter wood making them easier to control. The downside was the soft wood could collect quite a bit of water. Triremes were able to turn 90 degrees in only a couple of seconds. The ship was so large that the captain had to relay commands down a line. The crew was also very large making less room for storage. With little water and food on board, battles were often fought close to shore. This also made it easier for overboard warriors to get rescued or saved. The prow, or the bow of the ship that is above water, was often decorated as an animals head. Common features included painted marble eyes that were very large. The ships were also considered female and were named. Common trireme names are Sea Horse, Equality, and Artemis. Artemis is the daughter of Zeus. Artemis is the goddess of chasity, hunting, childbirth, and fertility.
The most important part of the ship is the battering ram attached to the prow. The ram was usually covered with bronze and was shaped as an animals head. The most common was a goat. Ramming enemy boats rarely sunk the enemy. If anything it got them close so the Athenian crew could go aboard the enemies ship. If a ship was hit hard enough with the triremes then the Athenian ship could go through the enemy boat making it sink. However, this was very dangerous for the athenians as well. It could cause damage to their ships. It could also injure many of the rowers as the trireme goes into the enemy ship.
Triremes became the biggest weapon for the Athenians. The Greeks had come together to fight the Persians. The Greeks had won on land at Marathon and now were fighting at sea. As the Persian ships arrived, the Greeks were outnumbered. With about 500 Persian ships to 300 Greek ships, the Greeks came up with a plan. The Greeks teased the Persian ships into a tight strait of Salamis. The Greeks then attacked the Persian ships with the Triremes. The Persians were hit so hard and fast that they didn’t have time or anywhere to even retreat to. With that, the Greeks claimed their victory. With power on their side, the Greek city-states started to fight for that power. The two city-states, Athens and Sparta, continued to gain and flaunt their newfound power.
Sources:
Cartwright, Mark. “Artemis.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, 29 May 2012, www.ancient.eu/artemis/.
Cartwright, Mark. “Persian Wars.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, 6 Apr. 2016, www.ancient.eu/Persian_Wars/.
Cartwright, Mark. “Trireme.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, 31 May 2012, www.ancient.eu/trireme/.
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