penteconter
ship
Quick Summary
A penteconter was an early Hellenic galley that carried fifty rowers. These ships were characterized by decks fore and aft. The long penteconter, mentioned by Herodotus, was employed for exploring, raiding, and communicating with colonies. It was light and fast, with 25 oars on each side, and played a significant role in the early expansion of Greek influence across the Mediterranean. As commerce grew and the need for sea protection increased, galleys designed primarily for fighting evolved from these earlier vessels.12
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