- The Athlit Ram is a ship’s Ram, found off the coast of Israel, possibly from a Trireme, dated between 530-270 BCE.
- The Ram is now located in the Israel National Maritime Museum in Haifa.
Description
- It is a single cast bronze weighing 465 kgs, with a blunt ramming end and a socket to fit over the extended keel at the other end. The Athlit Ram has symbols cast on it of an eagle head, a helmet and an octagonal star.
The Monument at Actium
- After the Battle of Actium, (31 BCE) Augustus built a Monument at Actium which consisted of the Rams from the captured fleet embedded in a wall.
- The although the Rams have gone, the sockets are still visible and indicate the varying size of Galleys from ‘Fives’ to ‘Tens’. The Athlit Ram is small by comparison, and possibly belonged to a Trireme or a ‘Four’.
How a Ram was used on a Galley
- Aim:
- To puncture and swamp the enemy vessel, disabling it.
- Method:
- High speed forward attack at an oblique angle, followed by reversing the oars to disengage.
- Counter:
- To get a hold of the attacking Galley by Grapnels to prevent it reversing, and then board the vessel.
National Maritime Museum, Haifa, Israel