Page 71 - All About History - Issue 28-15

Caesar’s invasion of Britain

Roman

Galley
Mainsail
This larger rectangular sail
couldonlybeusedwhen The ships Caesar brought his troops
windsweredirectlybehind
the vessel. to Britain in were built for the
calm Mediterranean Sea, not
the rough waters of the
Channel

Standard
A legion’s standard
wasusedinbattle
to rally troops and
convey orders by
a semaphore-style
system. The letters
SPQR stand for
SenatusPopulusQue
Romanus, or Senate
and People of Rome.
Castle
This structure was used
by archers. Its elevated
positionallowedthemto
fire down upon the enemy
whetheronlandoratsea.
Awning
This cloth or wood covering
provided protection from
theelementsforthe
galley’s commander.
Helm
This was the boats
chief way of steering
and was controlled by a
single helmsman.
Storage
Food, water and other
supplies were stowed here
for the galley’s crew.

Oarsmen
Inordertorowrhythmically,
slaves would either chant or
rowtothebeatofadrum.

Ballast
With no keels, rocks gave the
galley greater stability, but
againmadethemheavierand
so more vulnerable.

Fact Sheet: Bireme
Biremes such as this one were named for the Oars
Each oar was approximately
two decks of oars on either side
four metres long and
Crew Up to 130, including oarsmen, sailors attached to a fixed vertical
and marines.
24 metres
11 metres
pegviaaleatherloop.
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