Expert: Irulan Serena - 10/12/2006

Question
In Athens, one state liturgy was serving as a trierarch. Did the men
have to know anything about sailing/naval warfare to do this? (Or
couldn't they have used lack of knowledge as an excuse not to do
it.)

Answer
Trierarch was the title of officers who commanded a trireme 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 and knowledge since the expenses incurred could run as high as a talent in the course of a year.

Indeed, 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.

In order for them to spend their own money to outfit the trireme they had to be aware of all the ins and outs of the operating the trireme. If they lacked the expertise of all the facts then they would hire someone who was an expert.

Regards,


Iru