Recently I've begun to look into the various types of warships used by the ancient Romans and this is what I've found so far.
I'm not entirely sure about the accuracy of all of the numbers but I think that they do fit the descriptions and all of the math seems to work out.
Interesting fact: The numbered names of ships did not have to do with the number of oar decks Is was commonly believed, they instead refer to the number of banks of oresmen. So, for example a quinquereme would still have only 3 oar decks, however they would have been split up with two rowers on the top, two on the second level, and 1 on the bottom adding up to 5 total as the name implies.
(A Roman Quinquereme)
Hemoila (800 B.C.)
Initially used by pirates but soon incorporated into all major navies both as scouts and for light hit-and-run tactics.
Crew 108 rowers, 11 sailors, 30 marines
Size 24 metre length x 2.7 metre beam
Liburnia (600 B.C.)
The Bireme was the warship used at the time of the Trojan wars. It had a broad bottom with a shallow draft. Biremes were propelled by two banks of oars and virtually skimmed over the seas. The bow had a portion that protruded out at water level. It is thought that this configuration was intended for ramming and piercing the enemy's ships hull. A bireme was outclassed in combat by a trireme's speed and weight but its combat power should not be underestimated. The Romans renamed it Liburnia and mainly used it as a patrol ship.
Crew 144 rowers, 15 sailors, 40 marines
Size 33 metre length x 3.6 metre beam
Trireme (500 B.C.)
The Trireme was a powerful warship propelled by three banks of oars and a sail. It could ram opposing ships and launch boarding actions. Originally a Greek design it was widely copied because of its good qualities. Skilled oarsmen were needed but then this gave the ship tremendous power in a 'sprint' at ramming speed. As might be expected the trireme was its own main weapon, as it carried an iron-tipped ram on the bow at the waterline. Once an enemy ship has been rammed or had its oars smashed, the crew withdrew before seek another target. The Trireme became the work horse of the Roman navy.
Crew 150 rowers, 16 sailors and 60 marines
Size 38 metres length x 3 metre beam
Quadrireme (486 B.C.)
Quadrireme or Tetreres were invented by Carthage and in general use until 31 BC, although a limited number were used in later centuries. They were mainly used as heavy escort ships.
Crew 250 rowers, 25 sailors, 100 marines
Size 39 metre length x 4 metre beam
Quinquereme (397 B.C.)
The Quinquereme were developed from the earlier trireme and remained in general use until 31 BC. It was a powerful but lumbering warship intended for fleet actions. Its mass made it hard to sink. Quinqueremes also carried a detachment of marines and some shipboard artillery as means of attack - when you can't be sure of ramming an opponent, bombardment or boarding become the most effective tactics.
Corvus Quinquereme
The corvus was developed by Rome during the first Punic War as a means of turning sea battles into land battles, and allowing its superior infantry to become decisive. It was an iron 'beak' on a hinged walkway that was designed to smash down into enemy decking doing two jobs in one: making a bridge for the marines to cross, and locking the two ships together so that the battle had to be fought on the Quinquereme captain's terms.
Crew 280 rowers, 30 sailors, 160 marines
Size 37 metre length x 5 metre beam
Hexere (397 B.C.)
These and all subsequently larger warships were used primarily as fleet flagships.
Crew 300 rowers, 20 sailors, 120 marines
Size 41 metre length x 8.5 metre beam
And then you have various levels of ships all the way up to the
Deceres (320 B.C.)
The mighty Deceres was a dreadnought in the ancient Mediterranean. In size, number of men and fighting potential it dwarfed all other vessels. Deceres were among the largest ships afloat with its combat power being formidable. Apart from a couple of fighting towers, a Deceres also carried onagers and ballistae to bombard enemies, plus a large contingent of marines for boarding and defence. At least one ballista would also be set up to fire a harpoon-like grappling hook (called a harpago) at enemy vessels so that they could be dragged alongside and destroyed. As a tactic the harpago has much to recommend it over the grappling 'corvus' of smaller ships because it allowed enemies to be snagged at greater range.
Crew 572 rowers, 30 sailors, 250 marines
Size 46 metre length x 8.5 metre beam
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