History Trireme

1 history

1.1 origins
1.2 use , development
1.3 persian wars

history
origins

phoenician warship 2 rows of oars, relief nineveh, ca. 700 bc

depictions of two-banked ships (biremes), or without parexeiresia (the outriggers, see below), common in 8th century bc , later vases , pottery fragments, , @ end of century first references three-banked ships found. fragments 8th-century relief @ assyrian capital of nineveh depicting fleets of tyre , sidon show ships rams, , fitted oars pivoted @ 2 levels. have been interpreted two-decked warships, , triremes.

modern scholarship divided on provenance of trireme, greece or phoenicia, , exact time developed foremost ancient fighting ship. clement of alexandria in 2nd century, drawing on earlier works, explicitly attributes invention of trireme (trikrotos naus, three-banked ship ) sidonians. according thucydides, trireme introduced greece corinthians in late 8th century bc, , corinthian ameinocles built 4 such ships samians. interpreted later writers, pliny , diodorus, mean triremes invented in corinth, possibility remains earliest three-banked warships originated in phoenicia.

early use , development

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.

the persian wars

a greek trireme

athens @ time embroiled in conflict neighbouring island of aegina, possessed formidable navy. in order counter this, , possibly eye @ mounting persian preparations, in 483/2 bc athenian statesman themistocles used political skills , influence persuade athenian assembly start construction of 200 triremes, using income of newly discovered silver mines @ laurion. first clash persian navy @ battle of artemisium, both sides suffered great casualties. however, decisive naval clash occurred @ salamis, xerxes invasion fleet decisively defeated.

after salamis , greek victory on persian fleet @ mycale, ionian cities freed, , delian league formed under aegis of athens. gradually, predominance of athens turned league athenian empire. source , foundation of athens power strong fleet, composed of on 200 triremes. not secured control of aegean sea , loyalty of allies, safeguarded trade routes , grain shipments black sea, fed city s burgeoning population. in addition, provided permanent employment city s poorer citizens, fleet played important role in maintaining , promoting radical athenian form of democracy. athenian maritime power first example of thalassocracy in world history. aside athens, other major naval powers of era included syracuse, corfu , corinth.

in subsequent peloponnesian war, naval battles fought triremes crucial in power balance between athens , sparta. despite numerous land engagements, athens defeated through destruction of fleet during sicilian expedition, , finally, @ battle of aegospotami, @ hands of sparta , allies.