Galley

ancient ships · oars and sails · Mediterranean

Powered by rowers. Galleys could move fast in any direction because they relied on oars instead of waiting for the wind. This made them perfect for battles and surprising merchant ships.

Built for battle. With their long, narrow hulls and shallow draft, galleys could sneak into shallow waters and attack quickly. Armies loved them for naval warfare in the Mediterranean.

Simple but clever design. Most galleys had both oars and sails, so rowers could rest when the wind was strong and sail could take over. The word 'galley' actually comes from ancient Greek.

Lasted for thousands of years. Galleys were so useful that they existed in various forms from ancient times all the way until the early 1800s. Different cultures adapted them for their own needs.

Used for many purposes. Beyond warfare, galleys carried trade goods between ports and sometimes were even used by pirates to rob merchant ships traveling the seas.