Trireme-Ancient Greek Ship - A Short History

The trireme (triiris in Greek) had three rows of oars on each side, and on each oar there was a man rowing. They were small and narrow ships and since the bottom row of rowers was only 18 inches above the waterline, they were designed for short, close-in, sea battles.

Trireme was a speedy and agile ship, that became the dominant form of warship in the Mediterranean sea from the 7th to the 4th BC century. Triremes played a vital role during the Persian wars and the establishment of Athens as a maritime empire.