Ramming

  • The Naval Ram was one of the earliest weapons in use by war galleys of the Ancient World and despite the advent of the canon, remained in use until the 19th century CE.
  • It was a metal block attached to the prow of a galley and used to break the side of an enemy vessel.

Battle of Alalia

  • Although in use from the seventh century CE, Herodotus gives us the first recorded use of a Ram, in the ‘Battle of Alalia’ in 535 CE.
  • The Phocaean Greeks with 60 Penteconters defeated a combined Etruscan-Carthaginian Fleet of 120 Penteconters by using Rams.

The Act of Ramming

  • The Rowers were instructed to row at full speed towards the enemy vessel.
  • In the Navy of the ‘Serenissima’, the Republic of Venice (697-1787 CE), the instruction ‘Duri i banchi!’ (Hold hard to the Benches!) was given to the rowers just before the Galley rammed another vessel.
  • The Ancient Greek and Roman rowers were probably given a similar command.

The Effect of Ramming

  1. If a Galley rammed another Galley amidships, it could create a wide enough gap for water to pour through and swamp the vessel, but not sink it since wood floats.
  2. However, if a Trireme rammed another Trireme, the consequences would be more severe. The Hypozomata, the main cable tensioning the vessel from Bow to Stern, would snap the weakened frame in half, instantly taking the vessel out of combat.

Preserved Rams

  • The Athlit Ram is a fully preserved Bronze cast Ram from the 4th century BCE, found in Israel and now located in the Israel National Maritime Museum.

Galley Tactics

  1. Periplus (‘to sail around’):
    • Aim: ‘Periplus’ meant ‘to sail around’. The attacking Galley must outflank the Enemy, and get into a position where the Galley could use its Ram against the enemy Galley’s vulnerable sides.
    • Method: Both opposing Fleets line up In a horizontal line. The centre was protected, but the wings were vulnerable. By outflanking the wings, the sides of the outflanked enemy vessels became exposed. And if they turned to face the outflanking Galley, their sides were still vulnerable to the other Galleys.
    • Counter: If outnumbered and outflanked, the Galleys must form into a Kyklos or defensive circle.
  2. Diekplus (‘to break through’):
    • Aim: To snap the oars off one side of the Galley, disabling it.
    • Method: Galleys form in line astern and head straight towards an Enemy Fleet whith its Galleys aligned side by side. The first Galley pulled in its oars at the last minute and using its momentum snapped off the enemy’s oars on one side. It passed through the Enemy line, and the second Galley attacked the disable vessel. If a neighbouring Galley turned to help, its sides became vulnerable to the next Galley in line.
    • Counter: The Opposing Fleet forms into two horizontal lines, one behind the other. Or if outnumbered, forms into a Kyklos, defensive circle.
  3. Kyklos (‘to circle’):
    • Aim: Defense when outnumbered or overtaken:
    • Method: Galleys form a defensive circle with Prows facing outwards, to avoid presenting their sides. The Enemy can only circle, but is unable to use the Periplus or Diekplus.
    • Counter: The Diekplus, the circling Galleys form into line astern and smash through the ring. To counter this attack, the Kyklos would have 3 to 5 vessels inside the circle, waiting for a Galley to come through and expose its sides.
  4. Boarding
  5. Roman Naval Artillery

 

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