The trireme (Greek: triērēs) was the devastating warship of the ancient Mediterranean with three banks of oars. Fast, manoeuvrable, and with a bronze-sheathed ram on the prow to sink an enemy ship, the trireme permitted Athens to build its maritime empire and dominate the Aegean in the 5th century BCE.
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Definition
Timeline
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c. 700 BCECorinthians adopt the trireme from the Phoenicians.
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c. 483 BCEThemistocles persuades the Athenians to significantly expand their fleet, which saves them at Salamis and becomes their source of power.
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Aug 480 BCEThe indecisive battle of Artemision between the Greek and Persian fleets of Xerxes I. The Greeks withdraw to Salamis.
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Sep 480 BCEBattle of Salamis where the Greek naval fleet led by Themistocles defeats the invading armada of Xerxes I of Persia.
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433 BCEA naval battle between the victorious combined forces of Corcyra and Athens against Corinth.
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410 BCEAlcibiades leads the Athenian fleet to victory over Sparta at Cyzicus.
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344 BCECorcyra contributes two ships to Timoleon's fleet which attacked Syracuse.
