ANCIENT ROMAN SHIPS 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 sail Steering by two large oars in the back, not rudders

LARGe merchant ships Transported tons of goods Often at least 50 feet in length

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 1 st and 2 nd centuries BC, the Roman navy was mostly drawn from allies 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: LIBURNIAN Originally a pirate ship, then became a standard Roman warship. Had two oar-banks. BIREME Two oar-banks per side. TRIREME Main 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. PROPULSION Small 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. DIMENSIONS Merchant ships generally have a length:breadth ratio of 2:1. Warships generally have a length:breadth ratio of 10:1. SHAPE The hulls are shaped differently. Warships often have a battering ram at the front. CONSTRUCTION Warships 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 into the life of a sailor on a merchant ship or warship. FOOD Drinking water, wine, oil, garum, cereals and grindstones, olives, fresh fruit, beans, smoked and salted meats BUSINESS & LEISURE Coins, scales, needles, fishing gear, medicines, amphorae, baskets, sacks, clothes, shoes, dice RELIGION Portable altars, images and statues of the gods