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Ancient and modern

The ancient Greek ship that was too big for any harbour

21 May 2022

9:00 AM

21 May 2022

9:00 AM

The biggest cruise ship yet builthas just been launched, but in like-for-like terms, it comes nowhere near the Syracusia,built c. 240 bc on theorders of the Sicilian tyrant Hiero II. A small ancient Greek freighter mightbe about 45ft long, a trireme 120ft, a large merchantman 130ft. The Syracusiawas nearly three times longer, constructed out of enough material to build 60triremes.

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