A bireme is an ancient galley propelled by two banks of oars stacked one above the other on each side of the hull, a design used by Mediterranean seafaring civilizations including the Phoenicians and early Greeks before the development of the three-banked trireme. Built primarily as a warship, the bireme relied on oar power for speed and maneuverability in naval combat, supplemented by a sail for cruising, and it typically carried a bronze ram at the bow for striking enemy vessels. The bireme represents an intermediate stage in the evolution of ancient Mediterranean war galleys between the earlier single-banked pentekonter and the larger trireme that came to dominate classical naval warfare.
Facts
Partially Attested
Manufacturer or BuilderPhoenicians, Assyrians and Greeks 1 The source says biremes were used by these peoples and were invented well before the 6th century BC; it names no single builder. SignificanceLong ancient warship built for military purposes that could reach relatively high speed 1 Sources
1. Bireme, Wikipedia
Article body, sentence beginning 'Biremes were long vessels'
Biremes were long vessels built for military purposes and could achieve relatively high speed.
Article body, sentence beginning 'They were invented well before'
They were invented well before the 6th century BC and were used by the Phoenicians, Assyrians, and Greeks.
In Group: Mediterranean and Ancient Oared Ships, Lead sentence
A bireme (, BY-reem) is an ancient oared warship (galley) with two superimposed rows of oars on each side.
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