Key Point: The difference between a bireme and a trireme is the number of rows of oars, with a trireme having three rows on each side and a bireme having two rows on each side.
This article will deal with the topic of bireme vs trireme. You will see 6 differences between the trireme and the bireme. No, it’s not just the number of oars.
So, let’s begin.
Now, before we delve into each difference between the two warships in detail I will just list them out for you.
So, what is the difference between a bireme and a trireme?
There are 6 differences between a bireme and a trireme, and they are:
1. Number of banks of oars
2. Crew size
3. Speed
4. Maneuverability
5. Length and width
6. Armament
Those are the six differences between a trireme and a bireme. Now, let’s get into detail about each one.
Bireme Vs Trireme – The Number Of Oars
The key difference between a bireme and a trireme warship was the number of levels of oars. That difference is what gave the ships their name. Bireme in fact literally means “two oars” or “double oars” while “trireme” literally means “three oars.”
So, the bireme had two levels of oars, while a trireme had three levels of oars. This difference in the number of levels of oars had a significant impact on the size of the crew required to operate the ship, as well as its speed and maneuverability. The trireme, with its additional level of oars, was generally faster and more agile than the bireme, but also required a larger crew to operate.
The Difference In Crew Size
Another of the key differences between a bireme and a trireme warship was the size of their crews.
A bireme typically had a crew of around 80-120 men, while a trireme had a crew of around 170-200 men. Obviously, the larger crew of the trireme was due to the additional level of oars, which required more rowers to operate.
This larger crew also had an impact on the ship’s speed and maneuverability. Simply because more men on board meant that the ship was heavier and less agile. Nonetheless, the larger crew of the trireme also allowed for a greater number of trained soldiers to be carried. Which made it a more effective weapon in naval warfare. The smaller crew of the bireme made it a more nimble vessel, better suited for ramming and other close-quarters combat tactics.
What About Their Actual Size?
In general, a trireme was larger than a bireme. A bireme was typically around 80 feet long and 10 feet wide, while a trireme was around 120 feet long and 15 feet wide.
Bireme Vs Trireme – The Difference In Speed
A trireme could reach speeds of up to 8 or 9 knots, while a bireme could reach speeds of up to 7 or 8 knots. This speed advantage of the trireme was simply due to its larger number of rowers and the greater surface area of its oars. Overall, the trireme was generally faster than the bireme. But this speed advantage came with certain trade-offs that had to be considered in naval warfare.
We will cover this trade-off in the next segment on …
Difference In Manevrability
Maneuverability was a key factor in naval warfare, and in this regard, the bireme had an advantage over the trireme.
The smaller size and weight of the bireme made it more maneuverable than the larger and heavier trireme. They were also able to turn more quickly and respond more readily to changes in wind and current conditions. Which made them effective in close-quarters combat tactics such as ramming and boarding.
So while the trireme was less maneuverable it did carry a larger number of trained soldiers. Which was more important than maneuverability in my opinion.
Bireme Vs Trireme – Difference In Armametns
The armaments of a bireme and a trireme were generally similar. Both types of ships were primarily armed with bronze rams mounted on the prow of the ship, which was used to ram and sink enemy vessels. Both were equipped with archers, javelin throwers, and marines armed with swords and spears, who would engage in hand-to-hand combat with enemy soldiers.
The larger size of the trireme allowed it to carry more soldiers and equipment, giving it an advantage in terms of firepower. A trireme typically carried around 200 soldiers, compared to the 100 soldiers carried by a bireme. This larger complement of soldiers allowed the trireme to mount more powerful and sustained attacks on enemy ships. And, the larger size of the trireme also allowed it to carry more supplies and equipment, which made it better suited for longer campaigns.
All in all, the trireme was a far superior ship than a bireme in my opinion. Yes, it cost more, but it was well worth it!
In Conclusion
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I hope you learned a thing or two. If you wish to continue learning about naval weapons I suggest taking a look at my article where I compare the trireme vs quadrireme. If you want to see which is better then go take a look here.
Sources: Republican Roman Warships 509–27 BC (New Vanguard)
Take care!