like Eustathius is no man to manage the ship in a sea fight.  He will name some deputy, perhaps a stout young friend or a son, for the real naval work.  Even he may not possess great experience.  The real commander of the “Invincible” is the “governor” (KYBERNATES), a gnarled old seaman, who has spent all his life upon the water.  Nominally his main duty is to act as pilot, but actually he is in charge of the whole ship; and in battle the trierarch (if aboard) will be very glad to obey all his “suggestions.”  Next to the “governor” there is the PROIREUS, another experienced sailor who will have especial charge of the forecastle in battle.  Next in turn are two “oar-masters” (TOIXARCHOI), who are each responsible for the discipline and working of one of the long rowers’ benches; and following in grade, though highly important, are the KELEUSTES, and the TRIERAULES, who, by voice and by flute respectively, will give the time and if needs be encouragement to the rowers.  These are all the regular officers, but naturally for handling the sails and anchors some common sailors are desirable.  The “Invincible” carries 17 of these.  She also has 10 marines (EPIBATi), men trained to fight in hoplite’s armor and to repel boarders.  The Persian ships at Salamis carried 30 such warriors, and often various Greek admirals have crowded their decks with these heavy marines; but the true Athenian sea warrior disdains them.  Given a good helmsman and well-trained rowers, and you can sink your opponent with your ram, while he is clumsily trying to board you.  Expert opinion considers the EPIBATi somewhat superfluous, and their use in most naval battles as disgracefully unscientific.

111.  A Trireme at Sea.—­A trireme, then is an heroic fighting instrument.  She goes into battle prepared literally to do or die.  If her side is once crushed, she fills with water instantly, and the enemy will be too busy and too inhumane to do anything but cheer lustily when they see the water covered with struggling wretches.  But the trireme is also a most disagreeable craft before and after the battle.  Her light draft sets her tossing on a very mild sea.  In the hot southern climate, with very little ventilation beneath the upper deck, with nigh two hundred panting, naked human beings wedged in together below so closely that there is scarce room for one more, the heat, the smells, the drudgery, are dreadful.  No wonder the crew demanded that the trierarch and governor “make shore for the night,” or that they weary of the incessant grating of the heavy oars upon the thole-pins.

Thus the “Invincible” will seem to any squeamish voyager, but not so to the distant spectator.  For him a trireme is a most marvelous and magnificent sight.  A sister ship, the “Danae,"[*] is just entering the Peireus from Lemnos (an isle still under the Athenian sovereignty).  Her upper works have been all brightened for the home-coming.  Long, brilliant streams trail from her sail yards