Hemiolia

• The Hemiolia was a type of very fast War Galley developed in the fourth century BCE.
• The name meant one and a half, and it probably had 30 oars with 15 on each side.

Description

• The type was used by Pirates due to its great speed.
• It was used by Alexander the Great during his conquest of Persia on the river Indus and the Hydaspes.
• Arrian classed the Hemiolia as a Triacontor (30 oars).
• A subsequent development was the Trihemiolia, which meant three and a half.