- War Galleys were in use throughout the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. During the Punic Wars (264-146 BCE) the Romans copied the designs of the Carthaginians.
- During the Empire, the Roman Galley was based on Fleets of Triremes, Biremes and smaller 30 oared galleys for river patrols along the Danube and Rhine.
Galleys of the Roman Republic (264-146 BCE)
- Galleys in Active Service during the Punic Wars (264-146 BCE) until the Battle of Actium (31 BCE):
- Quadrireme lower but faster than the Quinquereme, it only had two banks of oars.
- Quinquereme crew 420: of which rowers: 300
- Hexareme
- Dekares Huge vessel with 2 banks of oars
- Cataphracts decked Roman Galley.
Galleys of the Roman Empire (29 BCE- 324 CE)
- Mediterranean Galleys of the Roman Empire Fleets in active sevice between 29 BCE and 324 CE:
- Liburnian 2 banks of oars: Total 36 oars
- Trireme 3 banks of oars: Total 200 oars. Ceased active service after 324 CE.
- Hexareme only one example in the Roman Fleet and this was the largest Galley. It was probably used as a State Barge by the Roman Emperor.
- Roman Patrol Galleys of the Rhine, Danube and Britannia Fleets.
Other Roman Galleys
- Roman Troop Galley:
- The Greeks had used elderly Triremes that were towed by newer Triremes.
- Roman Horse Transport Galley:
- The Athenian Navy had used refitted Triremes with only 60 oars, so as to leave space for the horses.
- During the Punic Wars the Romans towed Horse Transport vessels behind the Galleys.
- Roman Supply Galley.
- Roman Water Transports.
- Often, flat bottomed punts of varying sizes.
Galleys of Ancient Greece
- Lembos
- A class of Galley which varied between 16-50 oars in a single bank, and a mast.
- It was used for reconnaissance, communications and troop movements as it could carry up to 50 soldiers in addition to the rowers.
- Triaconter
- Used at the time of the Trojan War (twelfth century BCE), it had 30 oars and was used by navies and pirates due to its great speed.
- Hemiolia
- Fast War Galley developed in the 4th century BCE.
- It probably had 30 oars with 15 on each side.
- Penteconter
- It was a long fast undecked War Galley with 50 oars, 25 on each side.
- It was the vessel used in Classical Antiquity which continued in use in Ancient Greece until approximately 31 BCE.
- Trihemiolia
- Meaning 3 and a half, it was the War Galley of the Rhodian Navy between 305-46 BCE.
- It had 144 crew (the Trireme had 200) of which only 120 were oarsmen.
Galleys of the Byzantine Empire (284-1453 CE)
- Dromon
- The Dromon was the prime warship of the Byzantine Empire between the 5-12th centuries CE.
- They appear to have been constructed in various sizes, used the Lateen sail and carried a syphon to project Greek Fire.
Ship’s Names
- It appears that throughout antiquity, ships all had names, but they were not inscribed on the side like today.
- Instead, certainly during the Roman era, a carving was placed in the bows of the God or animal the vessel was named after.
- Vessels could be named after:
- Gods, such as Mercurius, Mars, Diana, Cupid, Castor, Hercules.
- Rivers, such as Nilus, Tigris, Euphrates, Danubius.
- Qualities, such as Virtus, Justicia, Virtus, Clementia.
- Vessels could be named after:
Roman Galley Tactics
- Roman Galley Tactics originally consisted of either Ramming or Boarding.
- Ramming gave way to the use of artillery designed to disable the opponents crews by firepower from a distance.
- During the Sea Battles with Carthage during the Punic Wars (264-148 BCE), the Romans used the tactic of the Blockade and Convoy.
- When two fleets opposed each other they formed up into a Crescent.
- Other tactics involved the Periplus Manoevre, Diekplus and Kyklos.
Misenum Naval Galley Base