Branchireme

/ˈbræŋkɪriːm/ noun

Definition

An ancient Greek warship with multiple rows of oars, literally a 'gill-like' arrangement of oars on the sides.

Etymology

From Greek branchia (gill) + rheme (oar), referring to how the oars were arranged in rows like gills on a fish.

Kelly Says

The branchireme's gill-like oar arrangement gave it incredible speed and maneuverability in ancient Mediterranean battles—it was the technology that won naval wars for 2,000 years!

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