Ancient Greek bronze trireme

Fast, maneuverable, the Ancient Greek trireme was the devastating warship that allowed Athens to build her maritime empire and dominate the Aegean in the 5th century B.C. The trireme was named after the arrangement of rowers in three lines down the length of each side of the ship. Consequently, the total number of rowers could have been between 170 and 180, allowing speeds as high as nine or ten knots in short bursts. The most celebrated military use of triremes, and perhaps the greatest naval battle in ancient history, was fought in 480 B.C. at Salamis between the fleet of the Hellenic League and the invading armada of the Persian king Xerxes. The Greek victory not only ensured Greek autonomy but also allowed Athens to take center stage in the Aegean. Handmade, solid bronze, museum-quality, with a marble base.