Hypozomata

• The Hypozomata was a bracing cable made from Hemp that tensioned a Trireme from the Bow to the Stern.
• There is a description by Vitruvius of the Hypozomata.

Description

• The Hypozomata consisted of two pieces of rope, that stretched from bow to stern and could be tightened to make the hull rigid. A third rope was kept as a spare.
• It is thought that the method used to tighten the Hypozomata, was by a block and tackle system at one end, pulled or released by a winch, with each Hypozomata being tightened separately.
• Without this rope, the great length of the Trireme meant the vessel would simply have flexed uselessly across the waves, known as ‘hogging’.