trireme

Warship used by the Romans with a ram, a sail and three vertical rows of oars.

steering oar

Oar at the back of the ship acting as rudder.

oar

Long piece of wood that is broad and flat at one end; it is mounted on the boat and pulled by one or more people to propel the boat.

ram

Timber jutting out in front of the prow usually at water level; it was used to punch holes in the hulls of enemy ships.

figurehead

Sculpted timber on the prow of a ship in ancient times that depicted a human, a god or a mythical creature.