8.1 Flashcards
What was the trireme and what were its limits (4)
The trireme was a ship with trhee level of oars that became the standard greek warship for more than two centuries
Prone to shipwreck in bad weather conditions
- The crew must be disembarked at the end
of the day for food and shelter; the
beached ships are exposed to attack from
land and sea - Expensive to build, equip, service and
repair - Needs numerous and well-trained crew
and captain, very skilled shipbuilders and
other specialized personnel
What slowly became the preffered tactic?
Ramming slowly became the preferred tactic. Boarding
was still used, especially in confined spaces where ramming
was difficult.
* The ships formed lines with the bow pointed at the
enemy, staying close to each othe
The Battle of Sybota,
The Battle of Sybota, as described by Thucydides, was characterized by both fleets engaging in close combat with heavy infantry, archers, and javelin-men crowded onto the decks of their ships. The naval tactics were outdated, resembling a battle fought on land rather than at sea. Ships charged each other fiercely, making it difficult to disengage due to the dense throng of vessels. Victory depended largely on the heavy-armed soldiers fighting on the decks, while ships remained relatively stationary. There was no strategic maneuvering to break the enemy’s line; instead, brute force and aggression prevailed. The battle was chaotic and lacked organized tactics. After the Corinthians chased the Corcyraeans to the shore, they focused on salvaging their wrecks and recovering their dead, with most of the bodies being brought to Sybota, a deserted harbor in Thesprotia, where their barbarian allies had gathered to support them.
naval battle of Rhiu
In the naval battle of Rhium, the Corinthians and their allies, not expecting engagement, were primarily focused on transporting troops into Acarnania. They were surprised when the Athenians, with twenty ships, dared to confront their forty-seven. Forced into battle, the Peloponnesians formed a defensive circle with their ships, positioning smaller craft within and swifter ships at the ready.
On the other hand, the Athenians, under the command of Phormio, adopted a strategic approach. They sailed their ships in a single line, encircling the Peloponnesian fleet and gradually narrowing the space, inducing panic among the enemy. Phormio, waiting for the opportune moment, anticipated the chaos that would ensue once the morning breeze arrived.
As the breeze stirred, the Peloponnesian ships, already crowded and disoriented by the small craft, fell into disarray. Phormio seized the moment, initiating the attack. The Athenians sunk one of the enemy’s flagship vessels and wreaked havoc throughout the fleet, prompting a disorderly retreat to Patrae and Dymè in Achaea.
The Athenians pursued, capturing twelve enemy ships and sailing to safety at Molycrium. They erected a trophy at Rhium and dedicated a ship to Poseidon before withdrawing to Naupactus, marking a significant victory in naval warfare for Athens.
Who persuaded athens to become a naval power?
Themistocles
Until the Persian wars Athens did not have a special
tradition as sea power. That changed when
Themistocles, the most influential leader of the
time, persuaded the Athenians to use the revenue
from a newly discovered silver mine to pay for the
expenses of building 200 new warships.
What is a captain aldo called?
and how many officers and assistants
Trierarch = Captain
16 officers and assistants, of which the most
important were:
