Phoenician War Galley

Maritime History/ Ancient Mesopotamian Ships/ Phoenician War Galley This 19th century print depicts a Phoenician bireme, a war galley with two banks of oars, battering ram, and single mast. Deck, passengers and pavisade were above the rowers. This design was also favored by early Greek and Tyrian galleys. The bireme introduced by the Phoenicians c. 800 BC became the leading warship of the Mediterranean world in the centuries to follow. Notwithstanding this depiction, these vessels became very large in later centuries. B.C.