Ships and Sea Travel in the Ancient Greek World



Travellers to the Panhellenic sanctuaries at Delphi and Olympia frequently journied by sea. This page will soon have information about their modes of conveyance, ancient seafaring, and arrival at the sanctuaries.

Ships and Sea Travel

Trade

Colonies

Ancient Travellers


And flashing-eyed Athena sent them a favorable wind, a strong-blowing West wind that sang over the wine-dark sea. And Telemachus called to his men, and bade them lay hold of the tackling, and they hearkened to his call. The mast of fir they raised and set in the hollow socket, and made it fast with fore-stays, and hauled up the white sail with twisted thongs of ox-hide. So the wind filled the belly of the sail, and the dark wave sang loudly about the stern of the ship as she went, and she sped over the wave accomplishing her way. Then, when they had made the tackling fast in the swift black ship, they set forth bowls brim full of wine, and poured libations to the immortal gods that are forever, and chiefest of all to the flashing-eyed daughter of Zeus.
Homer, Odyssey, 2.418

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