Early use and development Trireme

the lenormant relief, athenian acropolis, depicting rowers of aphract athenian trireme, ca. 410 bc. found in 1852, 1 of main pictorial testaments layout of trireme.

herodotus mentions egyptian pharaoh necho ii (610–595 bc) built triremes on nile, service in mediterranean, , in red sea, reference disputed modern historians, , attributed confusion, since triērēs 5th century used in generic sense of warship , regardless type. first definite reference use of triremes in naval combat dates ca. 525 bc, when, according herodotus, tyrant polycrates of samos able contribute 40 triremes persian invasion of egypt (battle of pelusium). thucydides meanwhile states in time of persian wars, majority of greek navies consisted of (probably two-tiered) penteconters , ploia makrá ( long ships ).

in case, 5th century, trireme becoming dominant warship type of eastern mediterranean, minor differences between greek , phoenician types, literary references , depictions of ships on coins make clear. first large-scale naval battle triremes participated battle of lade during ionian revolt, combined fleets of greek ionian cities defeated persian fleet, composed of squadrons phoenician, carian, cypriot , egyptian subjects.