Editing Trireme (section)

===Construction===
[[File:Mortise tenon joint hull trireme-en.svg|thumb|The mortise and tenon joint method of hull construction employed in ancient [[marine vessel|vessels]].]]
Construction of the trireme differed from modern practice. The construction of a trireme was expensive and required around 6,000 man-days of labour to complete.<ref>Hanson (2006), p. 262</ref> The ancient Mediterranean practice was to build the outer [[hull (watercraft)|hull]] first, and the ribs afterwards. To secure and add strength to the hull, cables (''hypozōmata'') were employed, fitted in the keel and stretched by means of [[windlass]]es. Hence the triremes were often called "girded" when in commission.<ref>Fields (2007), p. 9</ref>

The materials from which the trireme was constructed were an important aspect of its design. The three principal timbers included fir, pine, and cedar. Primarily the choice in timber depended on where the construction took place. For example, in Syria and Phoenicia, triereis were made of cedar, because pine was not readily available.  Pine is stronger and more resistant to decay, but it is heavy, unlike fir, which was used because it was lightweight. The frame and internal structure would consist of pine and fir for a compromise between durability and weight.<ref name="JC2"/>

Another very strong type of timber is oak; this was primarily used for the hulls of triereis, to withstand the force of hauling ashore.  Other ships would usually have their hulls made of pine, because they would usually come ashore via a port or with the use of an anchor. It was necessary to ride the triereis onto the shores because there simply was no time to anchor a ship during war and gaining control of enemy shores was crucial in the advancement of an invading army. (Petersen) The joints of the ship required finding wood that was capable of absorbing water but was not completely dried out to the point where no water absorption could occur. There would be gaps between the planks of the hull when the ship was new, but, once submerged, the planks would absorb the water and expand, thus forming a watertight hull.<ref name="JC2"/>

Problems would occur, for example, when shipbuilders would use green wood for the hull; when green timber is allowed to dry, it loses moisture, which causes cracks in the wood that could cause catastrophic damage to the ship. The sailyards and masts were preferably made from fir, because fir trees were naturally tall, and provided these parts in usually a single piece. Making durable rope consisted of using both papyrus and white flax; the idea to use such materials is suggested by evidence to have originated in Egypt. In addition, ropes began being made from a variety of [[esparto]] grass in the later third century BC.<ref name="JC2"/>

The use of light woods meant that the ship could be carried ashore by as few as 140 men,<ref name="IG153"/> but also that the hull soaked up water, which adversely affected its speed and maneuverability. But it was still faster than other warships.

[[File:Trireme Ram.jpg|thumb|Bronze trireme ram]]
Once the triremes were seaworthy, it is argued that they were highly decorated with, "eyes, nameplates, painted figureheads, and various ornaments". These decorations were used both to show the wealth of the patrician and to make the ship frightening to the enemy. The home port of each trireme was signaled by the wooden statue of a deity located above the bronze ram on the front of the ship.<ref name="Hanson239">Hanson (2006), p. 239</ref> In the case of Athens, since most of the fleet's triremes were paid for by wealthy citizens, there was a natural sense of competition among the patricians to create the "most impressive" trireme, both to intimidate the enemy and to attract the best oarsmen.<ref name="Hanson239"/> Of all military expenditure, triremes were the most labor- and (in terms of men and money) investment-intensive.