BIREME WOODEN MODEL BOAT

Bireme, ship with two series of oars in each side, was the precursor of trireme and forms the in-between link evolution from pentikoro to subsequent ships. Biremes were made with thirty or fifty oars and the dimensions of these ships are between: 18-22m length, 3-4 m width, 22 tones displacement and the length of the oars 4-6 m. The most famous biremes were made in Samos from tyrant Polykrates and were named samaines. It was a special type of biremes, made in such a way so that could be used as a tanker and as a battle ship in the same time. For greater stability of the ship the Phoenicians lowered the crinolines (platforms where oarsmen sat). A massive bronze covered battering ram was the main weapon of this narrow high speed bireme. The traditional removable rig was typical. A decorative poop extremity of stern was abruptly bent, similarly to a tail of a scorpion, and the balustrade of the battle platform was covered with the shields of warriors for reinforcement. Phoenicians were considered as the best seamen of the time and many ancient states frequently used them as mercenaries.

The bireme displayed is an in-between type made in 450 B. C. The first battle samaines were made in Samos in 250-400 B. C. The effigy-model is a pentikontors bireme, which width is up to 4 meters, united deck, powerful ram-beak and big square sail.