Syracusia
Syracusia (
General characteristics
Syracusia was designed by
A discussion of this ship, as well as the complete text of Athenaeus (a late 2nd-century Greek writer who quotes a detailed description of Syracusia from Moschion, an earlier, now lost, writer) is in Casson's Ships and Seamanship in the Ancient World.[5]
Of particular interest in the discussion of the construction of the ship is the detailed description of the efforts taken to protect the hull from
Appearance
Not much is known about the outside appearance of the ship, but Athenaeus describes that the top deck, which was wider than the rest of the ship, was supported by beautifully crafted wooden Atlases instead of simply wooden columns.[2] Additionally, the top deck featured eight towers, equipped with two archers and four fully armed men.[2] On the bow of the ship was a raised platform for fighting, on top of which was a giant catapult.[2] 20 rows of oars would also have been visible from the outside, and possibly a promenade lined with flowers and tents for use by the passengers.[2]
Amenities
In terms of passenger comfort, Syracusia would be the equivalent of
Legacy
The eventual fate of Syracusia is unknown.[9] Ptolemy's son sought to outdo Syracusia.[citation needed] He ordered the construction of a huge warship, the Tessarakonteres: 420 feet long, and bearing more than 4,000 oarsmen and 2,850 soldiers.[10] However, according to Plutarch, it was almost immobile.[11][12] British classical scholar
See also
- Baochuan
- Caligula's Giant Ship
- Isis
- Jong
- Nemi ships
- List of world's largest wooden ships
- Timeline of largest passenger ships
References
- ^ ISBN 9780802719799. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Athenaeus of Naucratis. "Deipnosophistae". Book 5, Chapter 40. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
- ISBN 9780761372677.
- ^ "The Syracusia Ship". www.hellenicaworld.com. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ ISBN 9780801851308. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
- ISBN 9780415061377. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
- ^ Superships (2007). Ancient Discoveries. The History Channel. Season 3, episode 4.
- ISBN 9780892367764. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
- ^ "Syracusia". World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
- ISBN 0801851300.
- ^ Plutarch. Life of Demetrius. p. 43.5.
- ISBN 0801851300.
Further reading
- Fik Meijer, André Wegener Sleeswyk: "On the Construction of the 'Syracusia' (Athenaeus V. 207 A-B)", The Classical Quarterly, New Series, Vol. 46, No. 2 (1996), pp. 575–578
- Jean MacIntosh Turfa, Alwin Steinmayer Jr: "The Syracusia as a Giant Cargo Vessel", The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, Vol. 28, No. 2 (1999), pp. 105–125
External links
Media related to Syracusia at Wikimedia Commons