Picati

• The Picati was a scouting Galley with 40 oars, which was attached to larger warships.
• It was mentioned by Vegetius (4th century CE), as a vessel in use by the Roman Navy.

Vegetius

• Vegetius, the 4th century CE military Historian, mentions Picati in Book IV of De Re Militari, chapters 38-43, the Art of Navigation.
• He says the Picati was a vessel used by the Roman Navy in Britannia. Picati was a local name apparently used by the Britons.
• It was a scouting galley that either shadowed enemy convoys or attacked them, and operated by both day and night.
• Vegetius states the Vessels and Uniforms were Blue. To conceal themselves, the crews and vessels used a blue dye.
• The sails and rigging were dyed Venetian blue. The vessel sides were covered in a blue wax. The sailors and marines both wore Venetian blue uniforms.