Wooden ship model "GREEK TRIREME"

Scale: 1:72 Length 515 mm Height 220 mm Width 185 mm This is a model of a Greek trireme from the time of the Battle of Salamis (480 BC). There were 170 rowers and about 30 soldiers on board. Under favorable conditions, the trireme could reach speeds of up to 20 km / h. On the nose of the trireme was a bronze ram, which was used to break through the side of an enemy ship. But a direct ram into the side caused damage not only for the victim of the maneuver, but also often for the performer, so a tangential blow was often used. Such a blow damaged the enemy side and threw its rowers from their places, while the own ship did not receive such a strong return, as in the case of a ram at a right angle. In addition, if on the enemy ship they turned their heads badly to the sides, and did not notice the approach to the ram, the rowers did not have time to retract the oars in time. Crack, pain, screams - the oars broke, the rowers were injured by the blow, which, naturally, deprived the ship of maneuverability, and in those days it meant almost certain death. The trireme was steered by two rudders at the stern. The rowers were the main driving force, the sail was set only during long passages. In battle, both the sail and the mast were laid on the deck, and the ship maneuvered only by oars.