Iraq: Fragment of a bas-relief of an Assyrian warship from the Palace at Nineveh, c. 700 BCE

This Assyrian ship was probably built and possibly manned by Phoenicians employed by Sennacherib, the son of Sargon II of Akkad, whom he succeeded on the throne of Assyria (705 – 681 BC).

It is a bireme, with two rows of oars. Shields are fastened around the superstructure, as on the fortifications of some city walls. The pointed bow is a ram, for piercing enemy shipping.

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Pictures From History