Olympias (trireme)

The Olympias is an elaborate reconstruction of an ancient Athenian trireme and is considered a major example of experimental archaeology. She was built in Piraeus between 1985 and 1987, based on designs by the naval architect John Coates, developed in close collaboration with the historian John Morrison. The project drew on findings from Greek literature, art history, and archaeological finds. It was funded by the Greek Navy and private donors. The ship is made of Douglas fir with oak tenons and a keel of iroko wood. A particular feature is the 200-kilogram (440-pound) bronze ram, a copy of an original in the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus. Because natural rope with the required elastic properties was not economically available, the important reinforcing ropes beneath the deck had to be replaced with steel cables, which called for special safety precautions.

The Olympias is the only active warship of this type in any modern navy in the world. During her sea trials, in particular an exercise in 1987 with 170 volunteers, the ship reached a speed of 9 knots and was able to complete a 180-degree turn in one minute. These results show that ancient accounts of the maneuverability of triremes were not exaggerated. The ship has also served ceremonial purposes, such as carrying the Olympic flame to Piraeus in 2004. Today the Olympias is on display in dry dock at the Naval Tradition Park in Palaio Faliro near Athens. From 2016 to 2018, trips on the Saronic Gulf were also organized with amateur rowers and passengers, to let people experience the ship's historical significance firsthand.