While the Hellenistic kingdoms did develop the quinquereme and even larger ships, most navies of the Greek homeland and the smaller colonies could only afford triremes.

After Salamis, the trireme continued as the backbone of the Greek fleet, with the ram continuing as its primary weapon. Its keel, like those of its predecessors, formed the principal-strength member, …

Nov 5, 2025 · In their hulls, Greeks ferried goods, ideas, and military might throughout the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. They were vital to Greek life, and developed over the centuries …

Jun 11, 2025 · From the sleek, deadly triremes to the colossal tessarakonteres, ancient Greek ships inspired modern ship design.

Mar 17, 2025 · Greek naval ships, especially the trireme, were marvels of ancient engineering, allowing city-states to expand their influence and protect their territories. Their innovative designs and …

Greek ships were built of wood and had shelters to protect the crew from the fierce Mediterranean sun. Over the open sea they traveled using hand-woven square sails. Some were also outfit with oars.

After a few centuries sunken ships are eaten up by various organisms in the sea and therefore it is not surprising that almost none of the ancient Greek ships survived.

Fast, maneuverable, and dangerous, the trireme was the most feared ship in ancient Greece. With powerful bronze rams and the ability to turn on a dime, it would leave enemy ships dead in the...

At the height of Greek maritime power, no vessel had greater influence than the trireme. Developed during the late Archaic period and perfected by the fifth century BCE, it had come from centuries of …

From the 4th century BC on, new types of oared warships appeared in the Mediterranean Sea, superseding the trireme and transforming naval warfare. Ships became increasingly large and heavy, …