The bireme, rowed with two banks of oars, was a versatile ancient warship type that Cilician pirates used alongside larger triremes captured or built in their own shipyards, according to ancient sources such as Plutarch’s Life of Pompey.
Quick Facts
| Ship Class | Oar-powered Warship |
|---|---|
| Era Used | Antiquity |
| Typical Crew | ~100-120 |
| Guns / Cannons | none, ram and boarding |
| Speed / Handling | Fast, more maneuverable than larger galleys |
| Notable Use | Used by Cilician pirates alongside triremes, per Plutarch's accounts |
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