ANCIENTROMANSHIPS

By Matthew Webb (Culture Capsule 1)Created for Classics 608 – University of Massachusetts

SMALL HARBOR CRAFT

Fishing boats

SMALL HARBOR CRAFT

Remains discovered at Ostia

Fishing boats

SMALL HARBOR CRAFT

An example of a navis cubiculata or inspection ship

LARGe merchant ships

Chiefly propelled by one large square sailSteering by two large oars in the back, not rudders

LARGe merchant ships

Transported 20-600 tons of goodsOften at least 50 feet in length

LARGe merchant ships

LARGe merchant ships

Remains discovered at Ostia

LARGe merchant ships

Large merchant ships were too large to navigate the Tiber.Goods were transferred to smaller ships.

LARGe merchant ships

These smaller ships were pulled by oxen up the Tiber via “tracking.”Goods were offloaded at the aptly-named Forum Boarium in Rome.

WARSHIPS

Up to the 1st and 2nd centuries BC, the Roman navy was mostly drawn fromallies in Italy and Greece. After the Battle of Actium in 31BC, Augustus

established a permanent Roman navy.

There are many types of ancient Roman warships. Here are the most common:

LIBURNIANOriginally a pirate ship, then became a standard Roman warship.

Had two oar-banks.

BIREMETwo oar-banks per side.

TRIREMEMain type of warship in the Mediterranean.

Main weapon: the battering ram – the ship would ram other ships’ sides.Could be as heavy as 230 tons, as long as 45 meters, as fast as 8 knots.

Three oar-banks (one above the other) one each side.All oars only used during battle.

WARSHIPS

Liburnian or Bireme.Note the battering ram on the prow.

Note also the two steering oars protruding from the back.

WARSHIPS

Liburnian or Bireme.Note the painting on the ship and the eyes on the prow.

WARSHIPS

Trireme

WARSHIPS

Naumachia (naval battle) among four warships.

DIFFERENCES

There are various ways to tell the difference between a Roman merchant ship and a Roman warship.

PROPULSIONSmall merchant or fishing ships are generally poled or pulled via oxen.

Large merchant ships have one large square sail.Warships most often are rowed by oars.

DIMENSIONSMerchant ships generally have a length:breadth ratio of 2:1.

Warships generally have a length:breadth ratio of 10:1.

SHAPEThe hulls are shaped differently.

Warships often have a battering ram at the front.

CONSTRUCTIONWarships are constructed of better-quality materials and

are characterized by better workmanship.

Construction

Unique construction technique:The outer planking is laid upon the keel

and then the internal skeleton of frames and beams is inserted.

LIFE ON A ROMAN SHIP

Archaeologists have discovered a number of items that give us clues intothe life of a sailor on a merchant ship or warship.

FOODDrinking water, wine, oil, garum, cereals and grindstones, olives, fresh fruit,

beans, smoked and salted meats

BUSINESS & LEISURECoins, scales, needles, fishing gear, medicines, amphorae, baskets, sacks,

clothes, shoes, dice

RELIGIONPortable altars, images and statues of the gods