Trierarch
Encyclopedia
Trierarch was the title of officers who commanded a trireme
(triēres) in the classical Greek world. In Athens
and a few other states this officer was also required to pay for the outfitting and maintenance of the ship. Trierarchs thus had to be men of considerable means, since the expenses incurred could run as high as a talent
in the course of a year. By the late 4th century BC, trierarchs in Athens often shared responsibility for a single ship, as the financial burden of the job had become too great.
Trireme
A trireme was a type of galley, a Hellenistic-era warship that was used by the ancient maritime civilizations of the Mediterranean, especially the Phoenicians, ancient Greeks and Romans.The trireme derives its name from its three rows of oars on each side, manned with one man per oar...
(triēres) in the classical Greek world. In Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
and a few other states this officer was also required to pay for the outfitting and maintenance of the ship. Trierarchs thus had to be men of considerable means, since the expenses incurred could run as high as a talent
Attic talent
The Attic talent , also known as the Athenian talent or Greek talent, is an ancient unit of mass equal to 26 kg, as well as a unit of value equal to this amount of pure silver. A talent was originally intended to be the mass of water required to fill an amphora . At the 2009 price of $414/kg, a...
in the course of a year. By the late 4th century BC, trierarchs in Athens often shared responsibility for a single ship, as the financial burden of the job had become too great.