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https://www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy4rz5z5q0o.amp?amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQGsAEggAID#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=17257162596964&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com

Good idea...

Quote from: Nick Harbud on September 07, 2024, 02:02:50 PMArtists are generally neither naval architects not professional oarsmen.  So what do they know?

Well, they did have the advantage of living in the same world as the real life prototypes, whereas we don't.  And it is an odd shift to say that art of the trireme era was sufficiently accurate that we can base reconstructions on it but after that it was fantasy.

Quote from: Erpingham on September 07, 2024, 01:05:32 PMOne problem with this is that Hellenistic, Punic and Roman ships are often shown in art as having outriggers.

Artists are generally neither naval architects not professional oarsmen.  So what do they know?

Certainly there were earlier triaconters, penteconters and biremes that lacked an outrigger, but this is to be expected as it is only required when one has three oarbanks.  The arguments for galleys with three oarbanks requiring an outrigger are detailed in Morrison & Coates 'The Athenian Trireme'. 

I feel that this is one of those cases where those arguing something different really have no idea of the practicalities.

Quote from: Jim Webster on September 06, 2024, 07:35:38 PMIf the quadriremes and quinqueremes didn't have outriggers (only two banks of oars) then they could have a wider hull than a trireme but still fit into the ship shed. 

One problem with this is that Hellenistic, Punic and Roman ships are often shown in art as having outriggers.  It is possible that art only tends to show triremes and other smaller vessels and the larger ships are not illustrated but it doesn't seem likely.  So, perhaps early outrigger-less types existed to fit in existing trireme sheds but not sure one can assume that that was the norm later.

Imperial ski resort?   

That was my second guess...

Quote from: Jim Webster on September 06, 2024, 06:46:36 PMWell the guy in the Egyptian picture at the top of the article is obviously using a stylised version of an electric chainsaw 

I think he is inflating a party balloon with natty snake motif.