ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Ancient navies and vessels

Okay kiddo, let's talk about ancient navies and vessels! A navy is a group of ships that are used for war or transportation on the sea. And a vessel is another word for a ship.

Back in ancient times, people used ships for different reasons. The Greeks, for example, were known for having powerful navies because they needed to protect their city-states from enemies and also to transport goods for trade.

The types of ships used in ancient times varied depending on the purpose. There were warships called triremes which had three levels of rowers and were very fast and maneuverable. There were also larger ships called quinqueremes which had five levels of rowers and were even more powerful. These ships were often equipped with weapons like catapults and ballistae which could be used in battles.

For transportation, people used different types of vessels. The Phoenicians, for example, were known for their trading ships which could carry large amounts of cargo. The Romans also used ships for transportation, but they were more focused on building ports and harbors to help with their trading.

The ancient ships were made of wood and had sails which were used to catch the wind and move the ship. The sailors would use oars to row the ship when wind was not strong enough.

Overall, ancient navies and vessels played an important role in the economy, trade and warfare of the time. They were fundamental in connecting people and cultures from different parts of the world.
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