The pentekonter, rowed by fifty oarsmen in a single bank, was an early Greek warship and raiding vessel that served as the ancestor of later Mediterranean war galleys used by both navies and pirate raiders.
Quick Facts
| Ship Class | Oar-powered Warship |
|---|---|
| Era Used | Archaic-Classical Antiquity |
| Typical Crew | 50 rowers |
| Guns / Cannons | none, ram and boarding |
| Speed / Handling | Fast under oar |
| Notable Use | Early Greek raiding vessel, precursor to later pirate galleys |
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