NAYTIKON MOYΣEION THΣ EΛΛA∆OΣ

HELLENIC MARITIME MUSEUM

ΠEIPAIAΣ - PIRAEUS 2005

π‰ÈÔÎÙËÛ›·: ¡·˘ÙÈÎfiÓ ªÔ˘Û›ÔÓ Ù˘ ∂ÏÏ¿‰Ô˜, ∞ÎÙ‹ £ÂÌÈÛÙÔÎÏ¤Ô˘˜, ºÚ·ÙÙ‡˜, ¶ÂÈÚ·È¿˜, 185 37
∆ËÏ. 210 45 16 264, Fax: 210 45 12 277, E-mail: nme@internet.gr
EΉfiÙ˘: AÈηÙÂÚ›ÓË §˘ÎÔ‡ÚË-¶··‰¿Ì, ¶·Ó·ÁÈÒÙ˘ ∫. ™˘ÚfiÔ˘ÏÔ˜
¢ËÌÈÔ˘ÚÁÈÎfi-¶·Ú·ÁˆÁ‹-∂È̤ÏÂÈ·: "µ∞¶Oƒπ∞ ∂∫¢O∆π∫∏", ∞ÈηÙÂÚ›ÓË §˘ÎÔ‡ÚË - ¶··‰¿Ì,
™ÂÔÏ›ˆÓ 9, Aı‹Ó· 104 45 ñ ∆ËÏ. 6944411041 - 6944563324, E-mail: vaporia@vodafone.gr
∫›ÌÂÓ·: AÓ·ÛÙ·Û›· AÓ·ÁÓˆÛÙÔÔ‡ÏÔ˘ - ¶·ÏÔ‡ÌË, ¶Úfi‰ÚÔ˜ N.M.E ñ X¿Ú˘ T˙¿Ï·˜, IÛÙÔÚÈÎfi˜ - EÚ¢ÓËÙ‹˜
AÓ·ÛÙ¿ÛÈÔ˜ T˙·ÌÙ˙‹˜, ¶ÏÔ›·Ú¯Ô˜ E.N. ñ ¶ËÓÂÏfiË BÔ˘ÁÈÔ˘ÎÏ¿ÎË, AÚ¯·ÈÔÏfiÁÔ˜ - M¢E B˘˙·ÓÙÈÓ‹˜ AÚ¯·ÈÔÏÔÁ›·˜
Iˆ¿ÓÓ· MÂÚÌ›ÏË, AÚ¯·ÈÔÏfiÁÔ˜ - M¢E B˘˙·ÓÙÈÓ‹˜ AÚ¯·ÈÔÏÔÁ›·˜ ñ Iˆ¿ÓÓ˘ ¶·ÏÔ‡Ì˘, AÓÙÈÓ·‡·Ú¯Ô˜ ¶.N. Â.·.
TÈÌfiıÂÔ˜ M·ÛÔ‡Ú·˜, AÓÙÈÓ·‡·Ú¯Ô˜ ¶.N. Â.·. ñ XÚ‹ÛÙÔ˜ NÙÔ‡Ó˘, AÓÙÈÓ·‡·Ú¯Ô˜ §.™. Â.·.
KÒÛÙ·˜ ¢·ÌÈ·Ó›‰Ë˜, AÚ¯ÈÙ¤ÎÙÔÓ·˜ - ¢Ú. IÛÙÔÚ›·˜ N·˘ËÁÈ΋˜ ñ Z·Ê›ڷ X¿È‰Ô˘, MÔ˘ÛÂÈÔÏfiÁÔ˜ - IÛÙÔÚÈÎfi˜ T¤¯Ó˘
X·Ú¿Ï·ÌÔ˜ TÔÚÙÔÚ¤Ï˘, MÔ˘ÛÂÈÔÏfiÁÔ˜ - ¶·È‰·ÁˆÁfi˜ ñ KˆÓÛÙ·ÓÙ›ÓÔ˜ ºÈÏ›Ô˘, N·˘ËÁfi˜ - M˯·ÓÈÎfi˜
KÏÂÔ¿ÙÚ· PËÁ¿ÎË, AÚ¯ÂÈÔÓfiÌÔ˜ - BÈ‚ÏÈÔıËÎÔÓfiÌÔ˜ ñ AÈηÙÂÚ›ÓË KÚ·ÓÈÒÙÔ˘, BÈ‚ÏÈÔıËÎÔÓfiÌÔ˜

∂È̤ÏÂÈ· ÎÂÈ̤ӈÓ: Iˆ¿ÓÓ˘ ¶·ÏÔ‡Ì˘, AÓÙÈÓ·‡·Ú¯Ô˜ ¶.N. Â.·.

∂È̤ÏÂÈ· Û‡ÓÙ·Í˘: Iˆ¿ÓÓ· MÂÚÌ›ÏË, AÚ¯·ÈÔÏfiÁÔ˜ - M¢E B˘˙·ÓÙÈÓ‹˜ AÚ¯·ÈÔÏÔÁ›·˜

ªÂÙ¿ÊÚ·ÛË: ∫ˆÓÛÙ·ÓÙ›ÓÔ˜ ¢. µÏ·¯¿Î˘
ºˆÙÔÁڷʛ˜: A˘ÁÂÚÈÓfi˜ N·ÚÏ‹˜, M¿Î˘ ™ÎÈ·‰·Ú¤Û˘
∂ÎÙ‡ˆÛË: "∆À¶O∫À∫§∞¢π∫∏ ∞.∂.", ∂ÚÌÔ‡ÔÏË ™‡ÚÔ˘, ∆ËÏ. 22810 86900, E-mail:info@typokykladiki.gr

AÎÚfiÚˆÚÔ ÈÛÙÈÔÊfiÚÔ˘ ÏÔ›Ô˘. A sailing ship’s figurehead.

K·ÏÏÈÙ¤¯Ó˘: £¤Ì˘ §ÂÌÂÛfiÔ˘ÏÔ˜ Artist: Themis Lebessopoulos

Copyright: The Hellenic Maritime Museum, Akti Themistokleous, Freattis, Piraeus, 185 37.
Tel: 210 4516264, Fax: 210 4512277, E-mail : nme@internet.gr
Publisher: Ekaterini Lykouri-Pappadam, Panagiotis K. Spyropoulos
Creative Conception-Production-Supervision: "VAPORIA PUBLISHING" Ekaterini Lykouri Pappadam,
9 Sepolion str., Athens 104 45, Tel: 6944 411041 - 6944 563324, E-mail: vaporia@vodafone.gr
Texts: Anastasia Anagnostopoulou - Paloubi, President of HMM ñ Harry Tzalas, Historian - Researcher
Anastasios Tzamtzis, Captain M.M. ñ Penelope Vougiouklaki, Archaeologist - M.A. Byzantine Archaeology
Ioanna Berbili, Archaeologist - M.A. Byzantine Archaeology ñ Ioannis Paloubis, Vice Admiral H.N. (ret.)
Timotheos Massouras, Vice - Admiral H.N. (ret.) ñ Christos Dounis, Vice - Admiral C.G. (ret.)
Kostas Damianidis, Architect - Phd History of shipbuilding ñ Zafira Haidou, Museologist - Art historian
Charalambos Tortorelis, Museologist - Educator ñ Constantinos Philippou, Naval architect - Marine engineer
Kleopatra Rigaki, Archivist - Librarian ñ Aikaterini Kraniotou, Librarian

Proof reading: Ioannis Paloubis, Vice Admiral H.N. ret.

Editing: Ioanna Berbili, Archaeologist - M.A. Byzantine Archaeology

Translation: Constantine D. Vlachakis
Photographs: Avgerinos Narlis, Makis Skiadaressis
Printing: "TYPOKYKLADIKI INC", Hermoupolis, Syros, Tel: 22810 86900, E-mail: info@typokykladiki.gr

ISBN: 960 - 88535 - 1 - 6

 ΠΕΡΙΕΧΟΜΕΝΑ / CONTENTS
ñ ¶ÚfiÏÔÁÔ˜ Ù˘ ¶ÚÔ¤‰ÚÔ˘ Ù˘ µÔ˘Ï‹˜ ÙˆÓ ∂ÏÏ‹ÓˆÓ. 4 ñ Foreword by the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament.
ÕÓÓ·˜ ªÂÓ¿ÎË - æ·ÚÔ‡‰·. Anna Benaki-Psarouda.

ñ ∆Ô ¡·˘ÙÈÎfiÓ ªÔ˘Û›ÔÓ Ù˘ ∂ÏÏ¿‰Ô˜. ŒÓ· Û‡ÓÙÔÌÔ ÈÛÙÔÚÈÎfi. 7 ñ The Hellenic Maritime Museum. A brief history.
∞Ó·ÛÙ·Û›·˜ ∞Ó·ÁÓˆÛÙÔÔ‡ÏÔ˘-¶·ÏÔ‡ÌË, Anastasia Anagnostopoulou-Paloubi, President of HMM.
¶ÚÔ¤‰ÚÔ˘ ¡ª∂.

ñ ∫·È ÙÔ ı·Ï·ÛÛÈÓfi Ù·Í›‰È ·Ú¯›˙ÂÈ… 17 ñ And the sea travel begins…

- ∆· ÏÔ›· ÙˆÓ ∂ÏÏ‹ÓˆÓ: ·fi ÙȘ ۯ‰›Â˜ Î·È Ù· ÌÔÓfiÍ˘Ï· ÙˆÓ 18 - The Hellenic ships: from rafts and dug-out canoes in the
ÚÔ˚ÛÙÔÚÈÎÒÓ ¯ÚfiÓˆÓ Ì¤¯ÚÈ ÙÔ˘˜ Á›Á·ÓÙ˜ ÙˆÓ ı·Ï·ÛÛÒÓ Ù˘ prehistoric time to the giants of the seas in the Hellenistic period.
ÂÏÏËÓÈÛÙÈ΋˜ ÂÚÈfi‰Ô˘. Harry Tzalas, Historian- Researcher.
ÿÚË ∆˙¿Ï·, πÛÙÔÚÈÎÔ‡ - ∂Ú¢ÓËÙ‹.

- O Ó·˘ÙÈÎfi˜ ‚›Ô˜ ÛÙËÓ ∞Ú¯·›· ∂ÏÏ¿‰·. 21 - The Maritime life in Ancient Greece.
∞Ó·ÛÙ·Û›Ô˘ ∆˙·ÌÙ˙‹, ¶ÏÔÈ¿Ú¯Ô˘ ∂.¡. Anastasios Tzamtzis, Captain M.M.

ñ ∆·Í›‰È· ÛÙȘ ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓ¤˜ ı¿Ï·ÛÛ˜. 35 ñ Voyages in the Byzantine seas.

¶ËÓÂÏfi˘ µÔ˘ÁÈÔ˘ÎÏ¿ÎË, Penelope Vougiouklaki,
∞Ú¯·ÈÔÏfiÁÔ˘-ª¢∂ µ˘˙·ÓÙÈÓ‹˜ AÚ¯·ÈÔÏÔÁ›·˜. Archaeologist- M.A. Byzantine Archaeology.

ñ ¶ÚÔÂ·Ó·ÛÙ·ÙÈο ¯ÚfiÓÈ· Î·È ÙÔ ¡·˘ÙÈÎfi ÙÔ˘ 1821. 43 ñ The years prior to the Hellenic War of Independence and
πˆ¿ÓÓ·˜ ªÂÚÌ›ÏË, the Navy of 1821.
∞Ú¯·ÈÔÏfiÁÔ˘-ª¢∂ µ˘˙·ÓÙÈÓ‹˜ AÚ¯·ÈÔÏÔÁ›·˜. Ioanna Berbili, Archaeologist- M.A. Byzantine Archaeology.

ñ ∆Ô ¶ÔÏÂÌÈÎfi N·˘ÙÈÎfi ÙÔ˘˜ ÓÂfiÙÂÚÔ˘˜ ¯ÚfiÓÔ˘˜ 1827-1945. 67 ñ The Navy during contemporary years, 1827-1945.
πˆ¿ÓÓË ¶·ÏÔ‡ÌË, ∞ÓÙÈÓ·˘¿Ú¯Ô˘ ¶.¡. Â.·. Ioannis Paloubis, Vice admiral H.N. (ret.)

ñ ∏ ÂÌÔÚÈ΋ Ó·˘ÙÈÏ›· ·fi ÙÔ 1827 ¤ˆ˜ Û‹ÌÂÚ·. 107 ñ The mercantile marine since 1827.
∆ÈÌfiıÂÔ˘ ª·ÛÔ‡Ú·, ∞ÓÙÈÓ·‡·Ú¯Ô˘ ¶.¡. Â.·. Timotheos Massouras, Vice admiral H.N. (ret.)

- ∆Ô §ÈÌÂÓÈÎfi ™ÒÌ·. 113 - Hellenic Coast Guard

ÃÚ‹ÛÙÔ˘ ¡ÙÔ‡ÓË, ∞ÓÙÈÓ·‡·Ú¯Ô˘ §.™. Â.·. Christos Dounis, Vice admiral C.G. (ret.)

ñ ∏ ·Ú·‰ÔÛȷ΋ Ó·˘ËÁÈ΋ Î·È Ù· ÛοÊË ·fi Ù· ̤۷ ÙÔ˘ ñ Traditional shipbuilding and ships from the middle of the
18Ô˘ ̤¯ÚÈ ÙÔÓ 20fi ·ÈÒÓ·. 125 18th century to the 20th century.
∫ÒÛÙ· ¢·ÌÈ·Ó›‰Ë, Kostas Damianidis,
∞Ú¯ÈÙ¤ÎÙÔÓ· - ¢Ú. πÛÙÔÚ›·˜ ¡·˘ËÁÈ΋˜. Architect- Phd History of shipbuilding.

ñ ∏ ÂÈηÛÙÈ΋ Û˘ÏÏÔÁ‹ ÙÔ˘ ¡·˘ÙÈÎÔ‡ ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ Ù˘ ∂ÏÏ¿‰Ô˜. 139 ñ The pictorial collection of the Hellenic Maritime Museum.
∑·Ê›ڷ˜ Ã¿È‰Ô˘, ªÔ˘ÛÂÈÔÏfiÁÔ˘-πÛÙÔÚÈÎÔ‡ ∆¤¯Ó˘. Zafira Haidou, Museologist- Art Historian.

ñ ™˘ÏÏÔÁ‹ ∞ÚÈÛÙÔÙ¤ÏË øÓ¿ÛË. 163 ñ The Aristotle Onassis' collection.

÷ڿϷÌÔ˘ ∆ÔÚÙÔÚ¤ÏË, ªÔ˘ÛÂÈÔÏfiÁÔ˘- ¶·È‰·ÁˆÁÔ‡. Charalambos Tortorelis, Museologist-Educator.

ñ πÛÙÔÚÈÎfi ∞گ›Ô. 177 ñ Historical Archive

¶ËÓÂÏfi˘ µÔ˘ÁÈÔ˘ÎÏ¿ÎË, Penelope Vougiouklaki,
∞Ú¯·ÈÔÏfiÁÔ˘-ª¢∂ µ˘˙·ÓÙÈÓ‹˜ AÚ¯·ÈÔÏÔÁ›·˜. Archaeologist- M.A. Byzantine Archaeology.

∫ÏÂÔ¿ÙÚ·˜ ƒËÁ¿ÎË, ∞Ú¯ÂÈÔÓfiÌÔ˘-µÈ‚ÏÈÔıËÎÔÓfiÌÔ˘. Kleopatra Rigaki, Archivist-Librarian.

ñ ∞Ú¯Â›Ô ¯·ÚÙÒÓ. 189 ñ Map portofolio.

÷ڿϷÌÔ˘ ∆ÔÚÙÔÚ¤ÏË, ªÔ˘ÛÂÈÔÏfiÁÔ˘-¶·È‰·ÁˆÁÔ‡. Charalambos Tortorelis, Museologist-Educator.

ñ ™¯Â‰ÈÔı‹ÎË. 195 ñ Drafts and Plans portofolio.

∫ˆÓÛÙ·ÓÙ›ÓÔ˘ ºÈÏ›Ô˘, ¡·˘ËÁÔ‡-ªË¯·ÓÔÏfiÁÔ˘. Constantinos Philippou, Naval architect-Marine engineer.

ñ ºˆÙÔÁÚ·ÊÈÎfi ∞گ›Ô. 199 ñ Photograph Archive.

¶ËÓÂÏfi˘ µÔ˘ÁÈÔ˘ÎÏ¿ÎË, Penelope Vougiouklaki,
∞Ú¯·ÈÔÏfiÁÔ˘-ª¢∂ µ˘˙·ÓÙÈÓ‹˜ AÚ¯·ÈÔÏÔÁ›·˜. Archaeologist- M.A. Byzantine Archaeology.

∫ÏÂÔ¿ÙÚ·˜ ƒËÁ¿ÎË, ∞Ú¯ÂÈÔÓfiÌÔ˘-µÈ‚ÏÈÔıËÎÔÓfiÌÔ˘. Kleopatra Rigaki, Archivist-Librarian.

ñ ∞Ú¯Â›Ô OÙÈÎÔ·ÎÔ˘ÛÙÈÎÒÓ. 207 ñ Audio visual Archive.

÷ڿϷÌÔ˘ ∆ÔÚÙÔÚ¤ÏË, ªÔ˘ÛÂÈÔÏfiÁÔ˘- ¶·È‰·ÁˆÁÔ‡. Charalambos Tortorelis, Museologist-Educator.

ñ ∏ ‚È‚ÏÈÔı‹ÎË ÙÔ˘ ¡·˘ÙÈÎÔ‡ ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ Ù˘ ∂ÏÏ¿‰Ô˜. 213 ñ The library of the Hellenic Maritime Museum.
∞ÈηÙÂÚ›Ó˘ ∫Ú·ÓÈÒÙÔ˘, µÈ‚ÏÈÔıËÎÔÓfiÌÔ˘. Ekaterini Kraniotou, Librarian.

ñ ∂ÈÏÂÁ̤ÓË ‚È‚ÏÈÔÁÚ·Ê›·. 218 ñ Selected bibliography.

 ΠPOΛOΓOΣ THΣ ΠPOE∆POY THΣ BOYΛHΣ TΩN EΛΛHNΩN

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ÈÛ¯‡˜ ‹Ù·Ó Û ο̄Ë.

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fi¯È ÌfiÓÔ ÁÈ·Ù› Ì·˜ ¤‰ˆÛ·Ó ¤Ó· ¿ÚÙÈÔ ·ÔÙ¤ÏÂÛÌ·, ·ÏÏ¿ ÁÈ·Ù› ·Ú¿ÏÏËÏ· Ì·˜ ¯¿ÚÈÛ·Ó ÌÈ·
ÂÍ·ÈÚÂÙÈ΋ ·ÈÛıËÙÈ΋ Û˘ÁΛÓËÛË Ù·Íȉ‡ÔÓÙ¿˜ Ì·˜ ̤۷ ÛÙË Ó·˘ÙÈ΋ Ì·˜ ÈÛÙÔÚ›·. ∆Ô ÂÚȯfi-
ÌÂÓfi ÙÔ˘ ÙÔ Î·ıÈÛÙ¿ ··Ú·›ÙËÙÔ Û˘Ìϋڈ̷ fiÏˆÓ ÙˆÓ ÂÏÏËÓÈÎÒÓ ‚È‚ÏÈÔıËÎÒÓ.

H ¶Úfi‰ÚÔ˜ Ù˘ BÔ˘Ï‹˜ ÙˆÓ EÏÏ‹ÓˆÓ

ÕÓÓ· MÂÓ¿ÎË - æ·ÚÔ‡‰·

4
FOREWORD BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HELLENIC PARLIAMENT

ost descriptions of Hellas generally focus on its history, characterising it as a country

M of democracy, culture and moderation. In addition however, a further point of

reference for Hellas is its status as a maritime nation, a country with some 6,000
islands, rocky outcrops and islets, a country that is half land and half sea. The sea which
inspires legends, stimulates the imagination, creates mythical gods, sometimes friendly to
man, familiar and humane and sometimes avenging yet just. This is why the sea is a key
element in the psychological make-up of the Hellenes. And it is precisely this aspect, namely
the country's strong ties with the sea that is highlighted by the Hellenic Maritime Museum.

This catalogue of selected exhibits with corresponding brief and concise historical texts takes
the reader on a journey from prehistoric times to the present day on the many types of
watercraft devised by human intelligence and used by the restless Hellenic race. The Hellenes
used these craft to discover new lands, establish colonies, defend and liberate their sacred
homeland whenever the need arose, whilst at the same time spreading the Hellenic language
and culture.

This history spans roughly 100 centuries (since 8,000 BC) beginning with the papyrela
(papyrus boat) and continuing uninterruptedly to the specialised gigantic transport ships which
today cross the oceans, passing through triremes and olkades, galleys and chelandia, brigs,
goletes, sacoleves, and the more familiar sailing vessels and steamships of contemporary
times. However, this history is not only of ships but also of the men who sailed them: the
intrepid Argonauts, the conquerors of Troy companions of Odysseus, the illustrious warriors of
the Battle of Salamina and the gallant seamen who subsequently sailed the oceans for almost
a millennium until more recent times when the baton passed to the seamen who manned the
fireships in the Hellenic Revolution of 1821, the crews who fought in the Balkan Wars (1912-
1913) and the naval heroes of World War II. The above comprise a series of historical events
which mark both periods of glory, when the nation's naval power was at its height, and periods
of absence from the historical stage, when this power was on the wane.

Congratulations are in order to the editorial team who have put so much effort into the
catalogue, not only because of the splendid final result but also because they have taken us
on a wonderful and deeply moving voyage through our maritime history. The content of the
catalogue makes it an essential acquisition for all Hellenic libraries.

The Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament

Anna Benaki - Psarouda

5
H
Â·Ó¤Î‰ÔÛË ÙÔ˘ ηٷÏfiÁÔ˘ ÙÔ˘ ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ ¤Ú¯ÂÙ·È Ó· ηχ„ÂÈ Ì›· ·Ó·ÁηÈfiÙËÙ· Ô˘ ›¯Â ‰ËÌÈÔ˘ÚÁËı› ·fi
ÙËÓ ÚÔ ÔÏÏÔ‡ ÂÍ¿ÓÙÏËÛË ÙÔ˘ ÚÔËÁÔ˘Ì¤ÓÔ˘ Î·È ·fi ÙÔÓ ÂÌÏÔ˘ÙÈÛÌfi ÙˆÓ Û˘ÏÏÔÁÒÓ ÙÔ˘ ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ.

£ÂˆÚ‹ıËΠÛÎfiÈÌÔ Ë Ó¤· ¤Î‰ÔÛË Ó· Â›Ó·È ‰›ÁψÛÛË, ÛÙ· ÂÏÏËÓÈο Î·È ·ÁÁÏÈο, ÚÔÎÂÈ̤ÓÔ˘ Ó· ‰È·‚¿˙ÂÙ·È Î·È ·fi
ÙÔ˘˜ ͤÓÔ˘˜ ÂÈÛΤÙ˜.

∏ ‡ÏË ÙÔ˘ ηٷÏfiÁÔ˘ Ù·ÍÈÓÔÌ‹ıËΠ·Ó¿ÏÔÁ· Ì ÙȘ ıÂÌ·ÙÈΤ˜ ÂÓfiÙËÙ˜ Ù˘ ÌfiÓÈÌ˘ ¤ÎıÂÛ˘ ÙÔ˘ ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ, ÂÓÒ ÛÂ
ͯˆÚÈÛÙ¿ ÎÂÊ¿Ï·È· ÚÔ‚¿ÏÏÔÓÙ·È ÔÈ ÂȉÈΤ˜ Û˘ÏÏÔÁ¤˜ ÙÔ˘.

™ÎÔfi˜ ‹Ù·Ó ̤۷ ·fi Ì›· Û˘ÓÔÙÈ΋ ·ÏÏ¿ ηٿ ÙÔ ‰˘Ó·Ùfi Ï‹ÚË ıÂÒÚËÛË Ù˘ Ó·˘ÙÈ΋˜ ÈÛÙÔÚ›·˜ Î·È ·Ú¿‰ÔÛ˘ Ó·
·ÚÔ˘ÛÈ·ÛıÔ‡Ó ÛÙÔÓ ·Ó·ÁÓÒÛÙË Ù· ÛÔ˘‰·ÈfiÙÂÚ· - ·ÓÙÈÚÔÛˆ¢ÙÈÎfiÙÂÚ· ÂÎı¤Ì·Ù· ÙÔ˘ MÔ˘Û›Ԣ.

∂˘¯·ÚÈÛٛ˜ ÔÊ›ÏÔÓÙ·È Û fiϘ Î·È fiÏÔ˘˜ Ô˘ ÚÔÛ¿ıËÛ·Ó ÒÛÙ ӷ ÂÈÙ¢¯ı› ¤Ó· ¿ÚÙÈÔ ·ÔÙ¤ÏÂÛÌ·.

∂ȉÈÎfiÙÂÚ· ÙÔ ¡·˘ÙÈÎfi ªÔ˘ÛÂ›Ô Ù˘ ∂ÏÏ¿‰Ô˜ ÂÈı˘Ì› Ó· ÂÎÊÚ¿ÛÂÈ ÙȘ ıÂṲ́˜ ÙÔ˘ ¢¯·ÚÈÛٛ˜ ÛÙËÓ ¶Úfi‰ÚÔ Ù˘
µÔ˘Ï‹˜ ÙˆÓ ∂ÏÏ‹ÓˆÓ Î˘Ú›· ÕÓÓ· ªÂÓ¿ÎË- æ·ÚÔ‡‰·, Ë ÔÔ›· ÛÙ‹ÚÈÍ ÙËÓ ¤Î‰ÔÛË ÙÔ˘ ηٷÏfiÁÔ˘ ˘ÏÈο Î·È ËıÈο.

T
he republication of the museum catalogue was deemed necessary not only because the previous edition had
long been out-of-print but also on account of the growth of the museum's collections.

It was considered expedient to republish the catalogue in bilingual form (Greek and English) in order to make its content
more accessible to foreign visitors.

The catalogue format reflects the thematic sections of the permanent exhibition of the museum, whilst its special
collections are presented in separate chapters.

The aim was to introduce readers to the most important and representative exhibits of the museum via a concise yet
thorough review of Hellenic maritime history and tradition.

Thanks are due to all those who made every effort to achieve a fine result.

In particular, the Hellenic Maritime Museum would like to extend its warm thanks to the Speaker of the Hellenic
Parliament, Anna Benaki-Psarouda, who supported the publication of the catalogue both materially and morally.

AÓ·ÛÙ·Û›· AÓ·ÁÓˆÛÙÔÔ‡ÏÔ˘-¶·ÏÔ‡ÌË, ¶Úfi‰ÚÔ˜ NME

President of the Hellenic Maritime Museum, Anastasia Anagnostopoulou - Paloubi

6
TÔ N·˘ÙÈÎfiÓ MÔ˘Û›ÔÓ Ù˘ EÏÏ¿‰Ô˜. ŒÓ· Û‡ÓÙÔÌÔ ÈÛÙÔÚÈÎfi.
The Hellenic Maritime Museum. A brief history.
 TÔ N·˘ÙÈÎfiÓ MÔ˘Û›ÔÓ Ù˘ EÏÏ¿‰Ô˜. ŒÓ· Û‡ÓÙÔÌÔ ÈÛÙÔÚÈÎfi.
The Hellenic Maritime Museum. A brief history.
∏ ȉ¤· Ù˘ ›‰Ú˘Û˘ ¡·˘ÙÈÎÔ‡ ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ ‰È·Ù˘ÒıËΠÁÈ·
ÚÒÙË ÊÔÚ¿ ·fi ÙÔÓ ÏÔ›·Ú¯Ô ÙÔ˘ ¶.¡. °ÂÚ¿ÛÈÌÔ ∑ˆ¯Èfi
ÙÔ 1867 fiÙ·Ó ˘ËÚÂÙÔ‡Û ÛÙÔ ÀÔ˘ÚÁÂ›Ô ¡·˘ÙÈÎÒÓ ˆ˜
°ÂÓÈÎfi˜ °Ú·ÌÌ·Ù¤·˜. O ÏÔ›·Ú¯Ô˜ ∑ˆ¯Èfi˜ ‹Ù·Ó ¤Ó·˜
·fi ÙÔ˘˜ ÌÔÚʈ̤ÓÔ˘˜ Î·È ·ÚÙ›ˆ˜ ηٷÚÙÈṲ̂ÓÔ˘˜
·ÍȈ̷ÙÈÎÔ‡˜ Ù˘ ÂÔ¯‹˜ ÂΛӢ Î·È Ô È‰Ú˘Ù‹˜ ÙÔ˘ ¡·˘-
ÙÈÎÔ‡ ∞ÔÌ·¯ÈÎÔ‡ ∆·Ì›Ԣ. ™Ù· ¤ÚÁ· ÙÔ˘ Ù·Ì›Ԣ, ›¯Â
ÚÔÙ›ÓÂÈ Ó· Û˘ÌÂÚÈÏËÊı› Ë Û˘ÁΤÓÙÚˆÛË Î·È ‰È·Ù‹ÚË-
ÛË ÙˆÓ ·ÓÙÈÎÂÈÌ¤ÓˆÓ Ô˘ ›¯·Ó Û¯¤ÛË Ì ÙËÓ ÂÏÏËÓÈ΋
Ó·˘ÙÈ΋ ÈÛÙÔÚ›· Î·È Î·Ù' ·˘Ùfi ÙÔÓ ÙÚfiÔ Ó· ÙÂıÔ‡Ó ÔÈ
‚¿ÛÂȘ ÁÈ· ÙËÓ ›‰Ú˘ÛË ÂÓfi˜ ¡·˘ÙÈÎÔ‡ ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ.
«∏ ˘ËÚÂÛ›· ÙÔ˘ ¡·˘ÙÈÎÔ‡ ∞ÔÌ·¯ÈÎÔ‡ ∆·Ì›Ԣ» ¤ÁÚ·-
Ê Û ÂÈÛÙÔÏ‹ ÙÔ˘ Ô °ÂÚ. ∑ˆ¯Èfi˜ ÙËÓ 14Ë ™ÂÙÂÌ‚Ú›Ô˘
1867 «Û˘Ó¤Ï·‚ ÙËÓ È‰¤· Ó· Û˘Ó·ıÚÔ›ÛË, ÂÈ ‰˘Ó·ÙfiÓ, ηÈ
Ó· ηٷٿÍË ÂÓ È‰›ˆ ªÔ˘Û›ˆ Ù· fiÏ· ÙˆÓ ÂÚȈӇ̈Ó
·Ó‰ÚÒÓ ÙˆÓ Î·Ù¿ ÙÔÓ ÈÂÚfiÓ ·ÁÒÓ· Î·È ‰ÔÍ·Ûı¤ÓÙˆÓ Î·È
‰ÔÍ·Û¿ÓÙˆÓ Î·È Ú¿ÁÌ·Ù· ¿ÏÏ· ·Ó‹ÎÔÓÙ· ÂȘ ÙÔ˘˜ ÔÓÔ-
Ì·ÛÙÔ‡˜ Ù˘ ÂÔ¯‹˜ ÂΛӢ ÔÈÎÔ΢ڷ›Ô˘˜ ÂȘ Ô˘˜ ηٿ
̤ÁÈÛÙÔÓ Ì¤ÚÔ˜ Ë ∂ÏÏ¿˜ ÔÊ›ÏÂÈ ÙËÓ ·Ó¿ÛÙ·ÛÈÓ ·˘Ù‹˜».
°È· ÙËÓ ÂÚÈÛ˘ÏÏÔÁ‹ ÙˆÓ ·ÓÙÈÎÂÈÌ¤ÓˆÓ ‹ ÂıÓÈÎÒÓ ÎÂÈÌË-
Ï›ˆÓ Ê·›ÓÂÙ·È Ó· ‰··Ó‹ıËÎ·Ó ·fi ÙÔ ¡∞∆ 745,85 ‰Ú¯.
ηٿ ÙËÓ ÂÚ›Ô‰Ô 1867-1870.
øÛÙfiÛÔ, Ë È‰¤· ÙÔ˘ °ÂÚ¿ÛÈÌÔ˘ ∑ˆ¯ÈÔ‡ ¤ÌÂÏÏ ӷ ˘ÏÔ-
ÔÈËı› ˆ˜ ȉȈÙÈ΋ ÚˆÙÔ‚Ô˘Ï›·, 82 ¯ÚfiÓÈ· ÌÂÙ¿, ·fi
ÌÈ· ÔÌ¿‰· ‰È·ÎÂÎÚÈÌ¤ÓˆÓ ÔÏÈÙÒÓ ÚÔÂÚ¯ÔÌ¤ÓˆÓ ·fi
fiÏÔ˘˜ ÙÔ˘˜ ¯ÒÚÔ˘˜ ÙÔ˘ Ó·˘ÙÈÎÔ‡ Î·È ÓÂ˘Ì·ÙÈÎÔ‡
ÎfiÛÌÔ˘. ∫ÔÈÓfi ¯·Ú·ÎÙËÚÈÛÙÈÎfi ÛÙÔÈ¯Â›Ô fiψÓ, Ë ·Á¿Ë
ÙÔ˘˜ ÁÈ· ÙË ı¿Ï·ÛÛ·, Ù· ÏÔ›·, ÙÔ˘˜ Ó·˘ÙÈÎÔ‡˜, ÙË Ó·˘-
ÙÈ΋ ÈÛÙÔÚ›· Î·È ·Ú¿‰ÔÛË.
∆Ô ¯ÚÔÓÈÎfi ÛËÌÂ›Ô Ù˘ ›‰Ú˘Û˘ ÙÔ˘ ¡·˘ÙÈÎÔ‡ ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ
‹Ù·Ó ÔÚȷο ÎÚ›ÛÈÌÔ, ‰Â‰Ô̤ÓÔ˘ fiÙÈ Ë ÂÂÏ·‡ÓÔ˘Û·
Ù¯ÓÔÏÔÁ›· ÂÍ·Ê¿ÓÈ˙ Ì ٷ¯‡Ù·ÙÔ Ú˘ıÌfi Ù· ˘ÏÈο ηٿ-
ÏÔÈ· Ù˘ Ó·˘ÙÈ΋˜ Ì·˜ ÈÛÙÔÚ›·˜ Î·È ·Ú¿‰ÔÛ˘ ηÈ
¿ÊËÓ Ôχ ÌÈÎÚfi ÂÚÈıÒÚÈÔ ÁÈ· ÔÔÈ·‰‹ÔÙ ÚÔÌ·ÓÙÈ-
΋ ÚÔÛ¿ıÂÈ· ‰È¿ÛˆÛ˘ Ù˘ ÎÏËÚÔÓÔÌÈ¿˜ ÙÔ˘ ·ÚÂÏ-
ıfiÓÙÔ˜.
∆Ô 1949, ÛÙËÓ ÎÔڇʈÛË ÌÈ·˜ ÎÚ›ÛÈÌ˘ ‰ÂηÂÙ›·˜ Ù˘
ÂÏÏËÓÈ΋˜ ÈÛÙÔÚ›·˜, ÔÈ Ó¤ÔÈ Ûη·Ó›˜ È‰Ú‡Ô˘Ó ÙËÓ
«∂Ù·ÈÚ›· ÙÔ˘ ¡·˘ÙÈÎÔ‡ ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ Ù˘ ∂ÏÏ¿‰Ô˜» Ù˘
ÔÔ›·˜ ÔÈ ÛÎÔÔ› ‰È·Ù˘ÒÓÔÓÙ·È ÛÙÔ ÚÒÙÔ Ú·ÎÙÈÎfi
Ù˘ ȉڇÛÂÒ˜ Ù˘.
« 1. ∏ ÂÚÈÛ˘ÏÏÔÁ‹ ÙˆÓ ¿Û˘ ʇÛˆ˜ ÎÂÈÌËÏ›ˆÓ ÙˆÓ
ηٿ ı¿Ï·ÛÛ·Ó ·ÁÒÓˆÓ ÙÔ˘ ŒıÓÔ˘˜.
2. ∏ Û˘ÁΤÓÙÚˆÛȘ, Û˘ÓÙ‹ÚËÛȘ Î·È ‰È·Ê‡Ï·ÍȘ ÙˆÓ
ÂÚÈÛ˘ÏÏÂÁÔÌ¤ÓˆÓ ·ÓÙÔÂȉÒÓ ·ÓÙÈÎÂÈÌ¤ÓˆÓ ÂÓ¯fiÓÙˆÓ
ÛËÌ·Û›·Ó ÎÂÈÌËÏ›ˆÓ ˆ˜ Û˘Ó‰ÂÔÌ¤ÓˆÓ ÚÔ˜ ÁÓˆÛÙ¿˜ ‹
·ÁÓÒÛÙÔ˘˜ Î·È ¯Ú‹˙Ô˘Û·˜ ÂÚ‡Ó˘ ÛÂÏ›‰·˜ Ù˘ ¡·˘ÙÈ-
΋˜ πÛÙÔÚ›·˜ Ù˘ ∂ÏÏ¿‰Ô˜.
3. ∏ Û‡ÛÙ·ÛȘ, ÔÚÁ¿ÓˆÛȘ, Â›‚Ï„Ș Î·È ÏÔ˘ÙÈÛÌfi˜
¡·˘ÙÈÎÔ‡ ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ ÂÓ ¶ÂÈÚ·È›.
4. ∏ ·Ó·˙ˆ‡ÚˆÛȘ ÙÔ˘ ∂ıÓÈÎÔ‡ ·ÁˆÓÈÛÙÈÎÔ‡ Ó‡̷-
8
The idea of founding a Maritime Museum was first put
forward by captain Gerasimos Zochios (HN) in 1867 when
he was serving as General Secretary at the Ministry of the
Navy. Captain Zochios was one of the best educated and
highly trained officers of that period and the founder of the
Seamen's Pension Fund. By proposing that the fund also
undertake the task of collecting and preserving artefacts
connected with Hellenic naval history, Zochios paved the
way for the establishment of a Maritime Museum.
"The Seamen's Pension Fund," Zochios wrote in a letter
dated 14 September 1867, "has conceived the idea of
gathering, as far as possible, and classifying in their own
museum the weapons of the renowned men who took part
in the sacred struggle, gaining glory and bestowing glory,
as well as other things belonging to the celebrated
gentlemen of that period to whom Hellas primarily owes its
resurrection".
The Fund appears to have spent the sum of 745.85
drachmas for the purpose of collecting the various
artefacts and national heirlooms in the period 1867-1870.
However, 82 years would pass before the idea of
Gerasimos Zochios was finally realised as a private
initiative by a group of well-respected citizens
representing a broad cross-section of naval personnel
and the intelligentsia. What they shared in common was
their love for the sea, ships, seamen, maritime history and
naval tradition.
The founding of the Maritime Museum came at a critical
moment in time, for rapidly advancing technology was fast
obliterating the material remains of the nation's maritime
history and tradition, leaving very little margin for any
romantic endeavour to save the heritage of the past.
In 1949, at the end of a crucial decade for Hellenic history,
new torchbearers founded the “Hellenic Maritime Museum
Society”, the objects of which were set out in the its
founding minutes.
“1. To collect all types of heirlooms relating to the Nation's
naval struggles.
2. To gather, preserve and safeguard all the types of
collected heirlooms which are of importance due to their
connection with events known or unknown and are worthy
of research in the context of Hellenic Naval History.
3. To establish, organise, supervise and enrich a Maritime
Museum in Piraeus.
4. To rekindle the National fighting spirit, to keep
ÙÔ˜, Ë ‰È·Ù‹ÚËÛȘ ·Û‚¤ÛÙˆÓ ÙˆÓ ÊˆÙÂÈÓÒÓ ÙÚÔ·›ˆÓ
ÙˆÓ Î·Ù¿ ı¿Ï·ÛÛ·Ó ·ÁÒÓˆÓ ÙˆÓ ÚÔÁfiÓˆÓ Î·È Ë ¤Í·Ú-
ÛȘ Ù˘ ·Á¿˘ ÙˆÓ ÂÂÚ¯ÔÌ¤ÓˆÓ ÁÂÓÂÒÓ ÚÔ˜ ÙËÓ
ı¿Ï·ÛÛ·Ó, ˆ˜ ËÁ‹ ∂ıÓÈÎÔ‡ ÌÂÁ·Ï›Ԣ.»
∆· ÔÓfiÌ·Ù· ÙˆÓ È‰Ú˘ÙÒÓ ·Ó·Ê¤ÚÔÓÙ·È ÛÙÔ Ú·ÎÙÈÎfi Ù˘
ÚÒÙ˘ °ÂÓÈ΋˜, È‰Ú˘ÙÈ΋˜ Ô˘ÛÈ·ÛÙÈο, ™˘Ó¤Ï¢Û˘ Ù˘
7˘ ∞ÚÈÏ›Ô˘ 1949. O ıÂÌÂÏȈً˜ fï˜ ÙÔ˘ ÂÁ¯ÂÈÚ‹Ì·-
ÙÔ˜ Ô˘ ·Ú¤Û¯Â ·Ì¤ÚÈÛÙË ÙË Û˘Ì·Ú¿ÛÙ·Û‹ ÙÔ˘ ‹Ù·Ó
Ô ÙfiÙ ÀÔ˘ÚÁfi˜ ÙˆÓ ¡·˘ÙÈÎÒÓ °ÂÚ¿ÛÈÌÔ˜ µ·ÛÈÏÂÈ¿‰Ë˜.
¶ÚÒÙÔ˜ ¶Úfi‰ÚÔ˜ ÙÔ˘ ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ ¤ÁÈÓÂ Ô ÂÊÔÏÈÛÙ‹˜
°ÂÒÚÁÈÔ˜ ™ÙÚ›ÁÎÔ˜.
∆Ô ÚÒÙÔ Ô›ÎËÌ· ÛÙÔ ÔÔ›Ô ÛÙÂÁ¿˙ÂÙ·È ÙÔ 1955 ‚Ú›ÛÎÂ-
Ù·È ÛÙËÓ ∞ÎÙ‹ ªÔ˘ÙÛÔÔ‡ÏÔ˘ 18 ÛÙÔÓ ÏÈÌÂÓ›ÛÎÔ Ù˘
∑¤·˜ (¶·Û·ÏÈÌ¿ÓÈ) Î·È ·Ó‹ÎÂÈ ÛÙËÓ ÕÓÓ· ª. ¶ÈÈÓ¤ÏË.
∂Λ ÙÔÔıÂÙÔ‡ÓÙ·È Úfi¯ÂÈÚ· Ù· ̤¯ÚÈ ÙfiÙÂ Û˘ÁÎÂÓÙÚˆ-
ı¤ÓÙ· ÂÎı¤Ì·Ù·, ÂÓÒ Û˘Ó¯›˙ÂÙ·È ·‰È¿ÎÔË Ë ÚÔÛ¿-
ıÂÈ· Û˘ÁΤÓÙÚˆÛ˘ Ó·˘ÙÈÎÒÓ ÎÂÈÌËÏ›ˆÓ ·fi ÙÔ °ÂÓÈÎfi
∂ÈÙÂÏÂ›Ô ¡·˘ÙÈÎÔ‡, ÙÔ ÀÔ˘ÚÁÂ›Ô ∂ÌÔÚÈ΋˜ ¡·˘ÙÈÏ›·˜,
·ÏÏ¿ Î·È ·fi ȉÈÒÙ˜ ̤ۈ ·ÁÁÂÏÈÒÓ ÛÙÔÓ ¶ÂÈÚ·˚Îfi ηÈ
Ó·˘ÙÈÏÈ·Îfi Ù‡Ô.
∆· ‰‡Ô ÚÔ‚Ï‹Ì·Ù· Ô˘ η٤ÙÚ˘¯·Ó ¿ÓÙÔÙ ÙÔ ¡·˘ÙÈ-
Îfi ªÔ˘ÛÂ›Ô ·fi Ù˘ ȉڇÛÂÒ˜ ÙÔ˘ ‹Û·Ó ÙÔ ÔÈÎÔÓÔÌÈÎfi,
Ù˘ ηıËÌÂÚÈÓ‹˜ ÂÈ‚›ˆÛ˘ Î·È ÙÔ ÛÙÂÁ·ÛÙÈÎfi, Ù˘ ¢ڤ-
Ûˆ˜ ÌfiÓÈÌ˘ Î·È Î·Ù¿ÏÏËÏ˘ ÛÙ¤Á˘.
∆Ë ‰ÂηÂÙ›· ÙÔ˘ '60 Â› ÚÔ‰ڛ·˜ ÙÔ˘ Ó·˘¿Ú¯Ô˘ ∫ˆÓ-
ÛÙ·ÓÙ›ÓÔ˘ ∞ÏÂÍ·Ó‰Ú‹, Ú·ÁÌ·ÙÔÔÈ‹ıËÎ·Ó ‰‡Ô Ô˘ÛÈ·-
ÛÙÈο ÂÈÙ‡ÁÌ·Ù·. ∆Ô 1964 ·Ú·¯ˆÚ‹ıËΠ·fi ÙÔÓ
O§¶, ÛÙË Û˘Ó¤¯ÂÈ· ·fi ÙÔÓ ∂O∆, ÌÂ Û˘Ì‚ÔÏÈÎfi ÂÓÔ›ÎÈÔ
ÙÔ ÔÈÎfiÂ‰Ô ÛÙÔ ÔÔ›Ô ‚Ú›ÛÎÂÙ·È Û‹ÌÂÚ· ÙÔ Ô›ÎËÌ· ÙÔ˘
¡·˘ÙÈÎÔ‡ ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ. ¶·Ú¿ÏÏËÏ· Ì ÙÔ ¡fiÌÔ 4502 ÙÔ˘
1966 ÙÔ ªÔ˘ÛÂ›Ô ÚÔÈÎÔ‰ÔÙ‹ıËÎÂ, ̤ۈ ÙÔ˘ ¡∞∆, ÌÂ
¤Ó· fiÚÔ Ô˘ ·ÓÙÈÛÙÔȯԇÛ ÛÙÔ 10% Ù˘ ·Í›·˜ ÒÏË-
Û˘ ÔÚÈÛÌ¤ÓˆÓ ÂÎ ÙˆÓ ‰È·ÙÂÙÈÌËÌ¤ÓˆÓ ÂÓÙ‡ˆÓ ÙÔ˘
∞ÔÌ·¯ÈÎÔ‡ ∆·Ì›Ԣ.
∆ËÓ ÂÔ¯‹ ÂΛÓË Ô ÔÌÔÁÂÓ‹˜ ∫ˆÓÛÙ·ÓÙ›ÓÔ˜ ∫˘ÚÈ·˙‹˜
ÂȯÔÚ‹ÁËÛ ÙËÓ ¤Î‰ÔÛË ÙÔ˘ Ï¢ÎÒÌ·ÙÔ˜ “¶ÏÔ›· ηÈ
¡·˘Ì·¯›·È ÙÔ˘ '21”. ∆Ô Ï‡Έ̷ ·ÔÙÂÏ›ÙÔ ·fi 28
¤Á¯ÚˆÌ˜ ÂÈÎfiÓ˜ ÈÛÙÈÔÊfiÚˆÓ ÏÔ›ˆÓ ÙÔ˘ 19Ô˘ ·ÈÒÓ·
·fi ·Ó·Ù˘ÒÛÂȘ ÏÈıÔÁÚ·ÊÈÒÓ Ù˘ ÔÈÎÔÁÂÓ›·˜ ÙˆÓ
°¿ÏÏˆÓ ˙ˆÁÚ¿ÊˆÓ Roux. ∆Ș ÂÈÎfiÓ˜ ›¯Â ˙ˆÁÚ·Ê›ÛÂÈ Ô
∞ÓÙÒÓÈÔ˜ ∫ÚÈÂ˙‹˜, ·ÍȈ̷ÙÈÎfi˜ ÙÔ˘ ¡·˘ÙÈÎÔ‡ Ô ›‰ÈÔ˜ ηÈ
ÂÁÁÔÓfi˜ ÙÔ˘ ÌÂÁ¿ÏÔ˘ Ó·˘Ì¿¯Ô˘ Ù˘ ∂·Ó¿ÛÙ·Û˘.
∏ ÒÏËÛË ÙˆÓ ÏÂ˘ÎˆÌ¿ÙˆÓ ÂÍ·ÛÊ¿ÏÈÛ ¤Ó· ÛËÌ·ÓÙÈÎfi
ÚfiÛÔ‰Ô, ÙÔ ÔÔ›Ô Â¤ÙÚ„ ӷ ·ÔÂÚ·Ùˆı› ÙÔ Ô›ÎË-
Ì· ÛÙÔ ÔÔ›Ô Ì¤¯ÚÈ Û‹ÌÂÚ· ÛÙÂÁ¿˙ÂÙ·È ÙÔ ªÔ˘Û›Ô. ∆Ô
Ô›ÎËÌ· ‰È·ı¤ÙÂÈ ÂÈÊ¿ÓÂÈ· ÂÎıÂÙËÚ›ˆÓ ¯ÒÚˆÓ ÂÚ›Ô˘
1.700 Ù.Ì. Î·È ÛÙËÓ Â›ÛÔ‰fi ÙÔ˘ ¤¯ÂÈ ÂÓۈ̷ÙÒÛÂÈ ¤Ó·
ÙÌ‹Ì· ÙˆÓ ÙÂȯÒÓ ÙÔ˘ ∫fiÓˆÓÔ˜ Ô˘ ÚÔÛٿ٢·Ó ÙÔ
·Ú¯·›Ô ÏÈÌ¿ÓÈ.
ªÂ ÙË Û¯ÂÙÈ΋, ¤ÛÙˆ, Â›Ï˘ÛË ÙˆÓ ‰‡Ô ÌÂÁ¿ÏˆÓ ÚÔ‚ÏË-
Ì¿ÙˆÓ, ÙÔ˘ ÛÙÂÁ·ÛÙÈÎÔ‡ Î·È ÙÔ˘ ÔÈÎÔÓÔÌÈÎÔ‡, ÙÔ ªÔ˘-
ÛÂ›Ô Û˘Ó¤¯ÈÛ ·ÂÚ›Û·ÛÙÔ ÙÔ ¤ÚÁÔ ÙÔ˘, Ù˘ Û˘ÏÏÔÁ‹˜
ÂÎıÂÌ¿ÙˆÓ Î·È ÎÂÈÌËÏ›ˆÓ Ô˘ ·ÊÔÚÔ‡Ó ÙfiÛÔ ÙÔ ¶ÔÏÂÌÈ-
Îfi ¡·˘ÙÈÎfi fiÛÔ Î·È ÙËÓ ∂ÌÔÚÈ΋ ¡·˘ÙÈÏ›·.
∫·Ù¿ ÙË ‰È¿ÚÎÂÈ· ÙˆÓ ÂÙÒÓ Ô˘ ·ÎÔÏÔ˘ıÔ‡Ó, ÙÔ ªÔ˘-
9
undimmed the lustrous trophies of our forefathers' naval
struggles and to foster the love of coming generations for
the sea, as a source of National glory.”
The names of the founders are listed in the minutes of the
first General Meeting (founding meeting) of 7 April 1949.
However, the prime mover of the venture who gave his
undivided support was the then Minister of the Navy,
Gerasimos Vasileiadis.
The first president of the museum was shipowner George
Stringos.
In 1955 the museum was first housed in a building at 18
Akti Moutsopoulou in Zea harbour (Pasalimani), which
belonged to Anna M. Pipinelli. The exhibits collected up to
that time were somewhat randomly placed in this building
whilst unceasing efforts to gather naval heirlooms were
continued by the Hellenic Navy General Staff, the Ministry
of Merchant Marine as well as private individuals through
announcements in the Piraeus press and shipping
publications.
The two main problems facing the Maritime Museum ever
since its establishment were its financial situation in the
context of its day-to-day operation and indeed survival,
and the need to secure permanent and suitable premises.
In the 1960s, during the presidency of Admiral C.
Alexandris, there were two positive developments which
went some way to resolving these problems. In 1964 the
plot on which the museum building now stands was made
available by the Piraeus Port Authority (OLP) and
subsequently by the Hellenic National Tourism
Organization (GNTO) for a symbolic rent. In addition, by
virtue of Law 4502 passed in 1966, the museum received
financial assistance (through the Seamen's Pension
Fund) corresponding to 10% of the sale value of some of
the publications circulated by the fund.
At that time, the expatriate Hellene C. Kyriazis funded the
publication of the album “Ships and Naval Battles of
1821”. The album featured 28 colour images of 19th
century sailing ships from reprints of lithographs by the
Roux family of French painters. The illustrations were
painted by Antonios Kriezis, himself an officer in the
Hellenic Navy and grandson of the great admiral of the
Revolution, Andreas Kriezis.
The sale of the albums generated a substantial income,
which was used to complete the building that now houses
the museum. This building has exhibition space of
approximately 1,700 m2 and its entrance incorporates a
section of the walls built by Conon to protect the ancient
harbour.
Following the - albeit partial - resolution of its two main
problems (funding and premises), the Museum was able
to press ahead with its task of collecting exhibits and
heirlooms relating to both the Hellenic Navy and the
Merchant Navy.
ÛÂ›Ô Á›ÓÂÙ·È Ì¤ÏÔ˜ ÙˆÓ ‰ÈÂıÓÒÓ ÂÓÒÛˆÓ:
ñ ICOM (International Congress Ôf Museums). ¢ÈÂıÓ‹˜
ŒÓˆÛË ªÔ˘Û›ˆÓ.
ñ ICMM (International Congress of Maritime Museums).
¢ÈÂıÓ‹˜ ŒÓˆÛË ¡·˘ÙÈÎÒÓ ªÔ˘Û›ˆÓ.
ñ AMMM (Association of Mediterranean Maritime
Museums). ™‡Ó‰ÂÛÌÔ˜ ¡·˘ÙÈÎÒÓ ªÔ˘Û›ˆÓ Ù˘ ªÂÛÔ-
Á›Ԣ.
∂·ÓÂÈÏËÌ̤ӷ ÔÚ›˙ÂÙ·È ·fi ÙÔ ÀÔ˘ÚÁÂ›Ô ¶ÔÏÈÙÈÛÌÔ‡
Ó· ÂÎÚÔÛˆ‹ÛÂÈ ÙË ¯ÒÚ· ÛÙÔ Â͈ÙÂÚÈÎfi Û ÂΉËÏÒ-
ÛÂȘ Û¯ÂÙÈΤ˜ Ì ÙÔ ·ÓÙÈΛÌÂÓfi ÙÔ˘, ÂÓÒ ÛÙÔ ÂÛˆÙÂÚÈÎfi
Û˘ÌÌÂÙ¤¯ÂÈ ‹ ‰ÈÔÚÁ·ÓÒÓÂÈ ·Ó¿ÏÔÁ˜ ÂÎı¤ÛÂȘ.
™Ù·‰È·Î¿ ÙÔ ªÔ˘ÛÂ›Ô Á›ÓÂÙ·È ÁÓˆÛÙfi ÛÙËÓ ¶ÂÈÚ·˚΋
΢ڛˆ˜ ÎÔÈÓˆÓ›·, Ô ·ÚÈıÌfi˜ ÙˆÓ ÂÈÛÎÂÙÒÓ Î·È ÙˆÓ
ÌÂÏÒÓ ÙÔ˘ ·˘Í¿ÓÂÈ, ÂÓÒ ·Ú¿ÏÏËÏ· ÚÔÛÏ·Ì‚¿ÓÂÙ·È Î·È
¯ÚËÛÈÌÔÔÈÂ›Ù·È ÌfiÓÈÌÔ ÂÈÛÙËÌÔÓÈÎfi ÚÔÛˆÈÎfi, ÙÔ
ÔÔ›Ô ·Ô‰ÂÈÎÓ‡ÂÙ·È ··Ú·›ÙËÙÔ ÁÈ· Ó· ·ÓÙ·ÔÎÚÈı›
ÛÙȘ ·˘ÍË̤Ó˜ ·Ó¿ÁΘ Î·È ··ÈÙ‹ÛÂȘ ÙÔ˘ ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ.
ŒÙÛÈ, ÛÈÁ¿ ÛÈÁ¿ ÌÂÙ·ÏÏ¿ÛÛÂÙ·È Ô ÂÚ·ÛÈÙ¯ÓÈÎfi˜ ¯·Ú·-
ÎÙ‹Ú·˜ ÙÔ˘ ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ Î·È ÌÂÙ·ÙÚ¤ÂÙ·È Û ÔÚÁ·ÓÈÛÌfi
Ô˘ ·ÓÙÈÌÂÙˆ›˙ÂÈ Ù· ı¤Ì·Ù· ÙÔ˘ ¯ÒÚÔ˘ ÙÔ˘ Ì Â·Á-
ÁÂÏÌ·ÙÈ΋ ÁÓÒÛË Î·È Û˘Ó¤ÂÈ·.
∆Ô 1992 Û˘ÓÙÂÏÂ›Ù·È Ì›· ‰˘ÛÌÂÓ‹˜ ÂͤÏÈÍË Î·ıÒ˜ ÌÂ
Û¯ÂÙÈ΋ ÙÚÔÔÏÔÁ›· Û ¿Û¯ÂÙÔ ÓÔÌÔÛ¯¤‰ÈÔ, ÌÂÈÒÓÂÙ·È
ÛËÌ·ÓÙÈο Ô fiÚÔ˜ ÙÔ˘ ¡∞∆, ÁÂÁÔÓfi˜ Ô˘ ·ÂÙ¤ÏÂÛÂ
ÙËÓ ·ÈÙ›· ÁÈ· ÙÔÓ ÔÈÎÔÓÔÌÈÎfi Ì·Ú·ÛÌfi ÙÔ˘ ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ ηÈ
ÙËÓ ‰ËÌÈÔ˘ÚÁ›· ÔÏÏÒÓ ÚÔ‚ÏËÌ¿ÙˆÓ ÛÙËÓ ÔÌ·Ï‹ ÏÂÈ-
ÙÔ˘ÚÁ›· ÙÔ˘.
∆· ÙÂÏÂ˘Ù·›· ¯ÚfiÓÈ·, ·ÎÔÏÔ˘ıÒÓÙ·˜ ÔÏÈÙÈ΋ Û˘ÛÙËÌ·-
ÙÈ΋˜ ·ÚÔ˘Û›·˜ ÛÙ· ÔÏÈÙÈÛÙÈο ‰ÚÒÌÂÓ· Î·È ·ÓÔ›ÁÌ·-
ÙÔ˜ ÛÙÔ Â˘Ú‡ ÎÔÈÓfi, ÙÔ ¡·˘ÙÈÎfi ªÔ˘ÛÂ›Ô Ù˘ ∂ÏÏ¿‰Ô˜
ÙÂÙÚ·Ï·Û›·Û ٷ ̤ÏË ÙÔ˘, ·ÔÎÙÒÓÙ·˜ ϤÔÓ ‰˘Ó·Ùfi
¤ÚÂÈÛÌ· ÛÙËÓ ÂÏÏËÓÈ΋ ÎÔÈÓˆÓ›·.
™ÙȘ ·›ıÔ˘Û¤˜ ÙÔ˘ ÂÎÙ›ıÂÓÙ·È Û‹ÌÂÚ· ÂÚ›Ô˘ 2.500
·ÓÙÈΛÌÂÓ· Ù·ÍÈÓÔÌË̤ӷ ¯ÚÔÓÔÏÔÁÈο Î·È ıÂÌ·ÙÈο,
˙ˆÓÙ·Ó‡ÔÓÙ·˜ ÙË Ó·˘ÙÈ΋ ÈÛÙÔÚ›· Î·È ·Ú¿‰ÔÛË ·fi
ÙËÓ ÚÔ˚ÛÙÔÚÈ΋ ÂÔ¯‹ ˆ˜ ÙȘ ̤Ú˜ Ì·˜. ∏ ¤ÎıÂÛË
ÂÚÈÏ·Ì‚¿ÓÂÈ ÂÓÓ¤· ·›ıÔ˘Û˜. ™ÙËÓ ÚÒÙË ÂÎÙ›ıÂÓÙ·È
ÚÔÛˆÔÁڷʛ˜ Ó·˘ÙÈÎÒÓ ÚÔÛˆÈÎÔÙ‹ÙˆÓ Î·È ‰ˆÚË-
ÙÒÓ ÙÔ˘ ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ, ·ÓÙÈÎÚÈÛÙ¿ Ì ı·Ï·ÛÛÔÁڷʛ˜,
¤ÚÁ· ÙˆÓ ∞ÈÌÈÏ›Ô˘ Î·È ™‡ÚÔ˘ ¶ÚÔ۷ϤÓÙË, µ·ÛÈÏ›Ԣ
÷Ù˙‹, £¿ÏÂÈ·˜ ºÏˆÚ¿-∫·Ú·‚›· Î.·. ∏ ·ÚÔ˘Û›·ÛË Ù˘
‚·ÛÈ΋˜ ıÂÌ·ÙÈ΋˜ ·Ú¯›˙ÂÈ ·fi ÙËÓ ÂfiÌÂÓË ·›ıÔ˘Û·,
fiÔ˘ ·ÚÔ˘ÛÈ¿˙ÔÓÙ·È Ù· Ó·˘ÙÈο ÂÈÙ‡ÁÌ·Ù· Ù˘
·Ú¯·ÈfiÙËÙ·˜, ΢ڛˆ˜ ̤۷ ·fi ÔÌÔÈÒÌ·Ù· ÏÔ›ˆÓ. ∞fi
ÙËÓ ÎÂÚ΢ڷ˚΋ ·˘Ú¤ÏÏ·, Èı·Ófi Ì·ÎÚÈÓfi ·fiÁÔÓÔ
ÌÂÛÔÏÈıÈÎÔ‡ ÛοÊÔ˘˜, Ë ÂͤÏÈÍË Ù˘ Ó·˘ËÁÈ΋˜ ÂÚÓ¿
·fi ÙÔ ÌÈÓˆÈÎfi Î·È ÙÔ ÏÂÁfiÌÂÓÔ ÏÔ›Ô Ù˘ £‹Ú·˜ ηÈ
ÎÔÚ˘ÊÒÓÂÙ·È Ì ÙËÓ ·ıËÓ·˚΋ ÙÚÈ‹ÚË ÙÔ˘ 5Ô˘ .Ã.
·ÈÒÓ·, ÙÔ ·‰È·ÊÈÏÔÓ›ÎËÙÔ fiÏÔ ÙˆÓ ∂ÏÏ‹ÓˆÓ ÛÙË Ó·˘-
Ì·¯›· Ù˘ ™·Ï·Ì›Ó·˜.
∆Ô ı·Ï·ÛÛÈÓfi ÎÔÌÌ¿ÙÈ Ù˘ ¯ÈÏÈfi¯ÚÔÓ˘ ÔÚ›·˜ ÙÔ˘
ÂÏÏËÓÈÛÌÔ‡, Ô˘ ·ÓÙÈÚÔÛˆ‡ÂÈ Ë ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓ‹ ÂÚ›Ô‰Ô˜,
·ÚÔ˘ÛÈ¿˙ÂÙ·È Ì¤Û· ·fi ÔÌÔÈÒÌ·Ù· ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓÒÓ ‰ÚÔÌÒ-
ÓˆÓ, ÂÓfi˜ ÂÌÔÚÈÎÔ‡ ÏÔ›Ô˘ ÙÔ˘ 7Ô˘ Ì.Ã. ·ÈÒÓ· Î·È ÌÂ
ÛËÌ·ÓÙÈÎfiÙÂÚÔ ¤ÎıÂÌ· ¤Ó·Ó ›ıÔ Ù˘ ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓ‹˜ ÂÔ¯‹˜
10
In the following years, the museum became a member of:
ñ The International Congress of Museums (ICOM).
ñ The International Congress of Maritime Museums
(ICMM).
ñ The Association of Mediterranean Maritime Museums
(AMMM).
The Ministry of Culture has repeatedly appointed the
Hellenic Maritime Museum to represent the country at
events relating to its object, whilst in Hellas the museum
participates in and organises exhibitions within its field of
expertise.
As the museum gradually became better known
particularly in Piraeus, the number of visitors and
members steadily increased. At the same time, the
museum hired permanent scientific personnel who have
proven to be essential for satisfying its increased needs
and demands. Thus, the amateurish nature of the
museum gradually changed as it transformed into an
institution which handles the matters within its scope with
the appropriate degree of professional knowledge and
consistency.
An adverse development came in 1992 when an
amendment was made to an irrelevant bill that
significantly reduced the income from the Seamen's
Pension Fund, which was ultimately the cause of the
museum's financial decline and raised numerous
obstacles to its smooth operation.
In recent years, by following a policy of maintaining a
systematic presence in cultural affairs and reaching out
more to the general public, the Hellenic Maritime Museum
has quadrupled its members, at the same time gaining
strong support from within Hellenic society.
There are approximately 2,500 artefacts currently on
display in the museum, classified according to chronology
and type in a manner which brings to life Hellenic naval
history and tradition from prehistoric times to the present
day. The exhibits are arranged in nine halls. The first is
dedicated to portraits of naval personalities and museum
donors as well as seascapes, including works by Aimilios
and Spyros Prosalentis, Vasileios Hatzis, Thalia Flora-
Karavia, et al. The presentation of the main subject-matter
begins in the next hall, which focuses on maritime
achievements in antiquity, chiefly through the medium of
ship models. From the papyrela (papyrus boat) of Corfu,
possibly a distant relative of a Mesolithic craft, the
evolution of ancient ship construction passes from the
Minoan ship and the so-called Ship of Thera and peaks
with the Athenian trireme of the 5th century BC, the
ultimate weapon of the Hellenes at the Battle of Salamina.
The maritime aspect of the thousand-year course of
Hellenism corresponding to the Byzantine period is
presented with the help of models of Byzantine dromons,
of a 7th century AD merchant vessel and perhaps the
most important exhibit, a Byzantine pithos (large jar for
‰È·ÎÔÛÌË̤ÓÔ Ì ¯·Ú¿ÁÌ·Ù· ÂÌÔÚÈÎÒÓ Î·È ÔÏÂÌÈÎÒÓ
ÏÔ›ˆÓ. ∆· ÛÎÔÙÂÈÓ¿ ¯ÚfiÓÈ· Ô˘ ·ÎÔÏÔ‡ıËÛ·Ó ÙËÓ ÙÔ˘Ú-
ÎÈ΋ ηٿÎÙËÛË Ì¤¯ÚÈ ÙËÓ ÂÔ¯‹ Ù˘ ÂÏÏËÓÈ΋˜ ·ÏÈÁÁÂ-
ÓÂÛ›·˜, Ë ı¿Ï·ÛÛ· Á›ÓÂÙ·È ı¤·ÙÚÔ ÛÎÏËÚÒÓ Ì·¯ÒÓ ÌÂÙ·-
͇ Í¤ÓˆÓ Ó·˘ÙÈÎÒÓ ‰˘Ó¿ÌˆÓ. OÈ ‚ÂÓÂÙÈΤ˜ Á·Ï¤Ú˜
΢ÚÈ·¯Ô‡Ó Î·È Ù· ÚÒÙ· ηÓfiÓÈ· Ì·›ÓÔ˘Ó ÛÙ· ÏÔ›·,
·Ê‹ÓÔÓÙ·˜ Ù· ÛËÌ¿‰È· ÙÔ˘˜ ÛÙË Ó·˘ÙÈ΋ ·Ú¿‰ÔÛË ÙÔ˘
∞ÈÁ·›Ô˘ Ì ÙȘ „·ÚÈ·Ó¤˜ Á·ÏÈfiÙ˜. ∆Ô Ù¤ÏÔ˜ Ù˘ ÂÔ¯‹˜
ÙˆÓ Îˆ‹Ï·ÙˆÓ ÏÔ›ˆÓ ¤Ú¯ÂÙ·È Î·È ÛÙ·‰È·Î¿ ÂÈÎÚ·-
ÙÔ‡Ó Ù· ÈÛÙÈÔÊfiÚ·, Ù· ÌÂÁ¿Ï· ÏÔ›· Ù˘ ÁÚ·ÌÌ‹˜, ÔÈ
Û·ÎÔϤ‚˜, Ù· ÌÚ›ÎÈ·. π‰È·›ÙÂÚË ¤ÌÊ·ÛË ‰›ÓÂÙ·È ÛÙÔ
Ó·˘ÙÈÎfi Ù˘ ∂ÏÏËÓÈ΋˜ ∂·Ó¿ÛÙ·Û˘. ∫ÂÓÙÚÈ΋ ı¤ÛË Î·È
ÎÔÚ˘Ê·›· ÂÎı¤Ì·Ù· Â‰Ò Â›Ó·È ÔÈ ÂÏ·ÈÔÁڷʛ˜ ÙÔ˘ ∫ˆÓ-
ÛÙ·ÓÙ›ÓÔ˘ µÔÏ·Ó¿ÎË Ì ÙËÓ ˘ÚfiÏËÛË ÙÔ˘ÚÎÈÎÔ‡
‰ÈÎÚfiÙÔ˘ ÛÙËÓ ∂ÚÂÛÛfi Î·È ÙËÓ ¡·˘Ì·¯›· ÙÔ˘ ¡·‚·Ú›-
ÓÔ˘, ηıÒ˜ Î·È Ë ·˘ıÂÓÙÈ΋ Â·Ó·ÛÙ·ÙÈ΋ ÛËÌ·›· ÂÓfi˜
ÏÔ›Ô˘ ÙˆÓ ™ÂÙÛÒÓ. ∞˘Ù¿ Ï·ÈÛÈÒÓÔÓÙ·È ·fi ÈÛÙÔÚÈο
ÎÂÈÌ‹ÏÈ·, fiˆ˜ fiÏ·, ÚÔÛˆÈο ·ÓÙÈΛÌÂÓ· Î·È ÔÚ-
ÙÚ·›Ù· ÙˆÓ ËÚˆÈÎÒÓ Ó·˘Ì¿¯ˆÓ ÙÔ˘ 1821.
ªÂÚÈο ·fi Ù· ÈÔ ÔχÙÈÌ· ÂÎı¤Ì·Ù· ÙÔ˘ ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ,
¤¯Ô˘Ó ÙÔÔıÂÙËı› ÂÌ‚fiÏÈÌ· Û ·˘Ù¤˜ ÙȘ ·›ıÔ˘Û˜.
¶ÚfiÎÂÈÙ·È ÁÈ· Ù· ÎÔοÏÈÓ· ÔÌÔÈÒÌ·Ù· ÏÔ›ˆÓ ηٷÛ΢-
·Ṳ̂ӷ ÛÙȘ ·Ú¯¤˜ ÙÔ˘ 19Ô˘ ·È. ·fi °¿ÏÏÔ˘˜ ·È¯Ì·ÏÒ-
ÙÔ˘˜ ÙˆÓ ¡·ÔÏÂfiÓÙÂÈˆÓ ¶ÔϤ̈Ó. ∂Ï·ÈÔÁڷʛ˜
OÏÏ·Ó‰ÒÓ ˙ˆÁÚ¿ÊˆÓ ÙÔ˘ 18Ô˘ ·È., ¯·Ú·ÎÙÈο, fiÏ·,
Ó·˘ÙÈο fiÚÁ·Ó·. ∆· ·ÓÙÈΛÌÂÓ· ·˘Ù¿ Û˘Óı¤ÙÔ˘Ó ÙËÓ
Û˘ÏÏÔÁ‹ ÙÔ˘ ∞Ú. øÓ¿ÛË Î·È ÚÔ¤Ú¯ÔÓÙ·È ·fi ÙËÓ ‰È·Îfi-
ÛÌËÛË Ù˘ ÂÚ›ÊËÌ˘ ı·Ï·ÌËÁÔ‡ “ÃÚÈÛÙ›Ó·” ÙÔ˘ ‰È¿ÛË-
ÌÔ˘ ŒÏÏËÓ· ÂÊÔÏÈÛÙ‹.
OÈ ‰‡Ô ÂfiÌÂÓ˜ ·›ıÔ˘Û˜ Â›Ó·È ·ÊÈÂڈ̤Ó˜ ÛÙÔ ¶ÔÏÂ-
ÌÈÎfi N·˘ÙÈÎfi, ·fi ÙËÓ ÂÔ¯‹ Ù˘ ›‰Ú˘Û˘ ÙÔ˘ ÓÂÔÂÏÏË-
ÓÈÎÔ‡ ÎÚ¿ÙÔ˘˜ ˆ˜ ÙȘ ̤Ú˜ Ì·˜. ∏ ÔÏ˘Ù¿Ú·¯Ë ÓÂfiÙÂ-
ÚË ÈÛÙÔÚ›· Ì·˜, ÂÚÓ¿ ̤۷ ·fi Ù· ÔÌÔÈÒÌ·Ù· ÙˆÓ
ÚÒÙˆÓ ÂıÓÈÎÒÓ Ì·˜ ÏÔ›ˆÓ, Ù˘ ÊÚÂÁ¿Ù·˜ “∂ÏÏ¿˜” ηÈ
ÙÔ˘ ÙÚÔ¯‹Ï·ÙÔ˘ ·ÙÌÔÏÔ›Ô˘ “∫·ÚÙÂÚ›·”, ÙÔ˘ ËÚˆÈÎÔ‡
ηٷ‰ÚÔÌÈÎÔ‡ “ŒÓˆÛȘ” Ù˘ ∫ÚËÙÈ΋˜ ∂·Ó¿ÛÙ·Û˘ ÙÔ˘
1866-68, ÙÔ˘ ÛÙfiÏÔ˘ ÙˆÓ µ·ÏηÓÈÎÒÓ ¶ÔÏ¤ÌˆÓ Ì ÎÔÚ˘-
Ê·›Ô ÙÔ ıˆÚËÎÙfi “°. ∞‚¤ÚˆÊ” Î·È ÙÔ ÚÒÙÔ ÂÏÏËÓÈÎfi
˘Ô‚Ú‡¯ÈÔ “¢ÂÏʛӔ, ÙÔ “ŒÏÏË”, ÙÔ “µ·Û›ÏÈÛÛ· ŸÏÁ·”,
ÙÔ À/µ “¶··ÓÈÎÔÏ‹˜” ÙÔ˘ µ’ ¶·ÁÎÔÛÌ›Ô˘ ¶ÔϤÌÔ˘ Î.·.
ŸÏ· Ï·ÈÛÈÒÓÔÓÙ·È ·fi ÂÍ·ÈÚÂÙÈΤ˜ ÂÏ·ÈÔÁڷʛ˜ ÙˆÓ
µ·ÛÈÏ›Ԣ ÷Ù˙‹, §˘ÎÔ‡ÚÁÔ˘ ∫ÔÁ‚›Ó·, ∞ÈÌÈÏ›Ô˘ ¶ÚÔÛ·-
ϤÓÙË, µ·ÛÈÏ›Ԣ °ÂÚÌÂÓ‹, ¡ÈÎÔÏ¿Ô˘ ∫·ÏÔÁÂÚfiÔ˘ÏÔ˘
Î.·. Ô˘ ·Ôı·Ó¿ÙÈÛ·Ó Ì ÙÔÓ ¯ÚˆÛÙ‹Ú· ÙÔ˘˜ ÙËÓ ÌÂÁ·-
ÏÂÈÒ‰Ë ‰Ú¿ÛË ÙÔ˘ ÔÏÂÌÈÎÔ‡ Ì·˜ ÛÙfiÏÔ˘, Ì·˙› ÌÂ
ÔÏ˘¿ÚÈıÌ· ÎÂÈÌ‹ÏÈ· ·fi ÙȘ ¤Ó‰Ô͘ Ó·˘Ì·¯›Â˜. OÈ
·Ó·ÊÔÚ¤˜ ÛÙÔ˘˜ ·ÓıÚÒÔ˘˜ Ô˘ ‰È·ÎÚ›ıËÎ·Ó ÁÈ· ÙËÓ
‰Ú¿ÛË ÙÔ˘˜ ÛÙÔ ¡·˘ÙÈÎfi Á›ÓÔÓÙ·È Ì¤Û· ·fi ÚÔÛˆÔ-
Áڷʛ˜, ʈÙÔÁڷʛ˜, ·Ú¿ÛËÌ·, ÛÙÔϤ˜ Î·È fiÏ·.
∏ ı·Ï·ÛÛÈÓ‹ ÂÔÔÈ›· Ù˘ ÂÏÏËÓÈ΋˜ ÂÌÔÚÈ΋˜ Ó·˘ÙÈ-
Ï›·˜ ·ÚÔ˘ÛÈ¿˙ÂÙ·È ÛÙËÓ Û˘Ó¤¯ÂÈ·, ·fi ÙËÓ ÂÔ¯‹ Ù˘
›‰Ú˘Û˘ Ù˘ ÚÒÙ˘ ∞ÙÌÔÏÔ˚΋˜ ∂Ù·ÈÚ›·˜ ÛÙË ™‡ÚÔ,
̤¯ÚÈ ÙËÓ Î·Ù¿ÏË„Ë Ù˘ ÚÒÙ˘ ı¤Û˘ Ô˘ η٤¯ÂÈ
Û‹ÌÂÚ· Ô ÂÏÏËÓfiÎÙËÙÔ˜ ÂÌÔÚÈÎfi˜ ÛÙfiÏÔ˜.
∏ ¤ÎıÂÛË ÙÂÏÂÈÒÓÂÈ Ì ÙËÓ ·ÚÔ˘Û›·ÛË Ù˘ Ó·˘‹ÁËÛ˘
ÂÓfi˜ ·Ú·‰ÔÛÈ·ÎÔ‡ ÙÚ¯·ÓÙËÚÈÔ‡ Î·È ÙËÓ ·Ú¿ıÂÛË
Ù‡ˆÓ ·Ú·‰ÔÛÈ·ÎÒÓ ÂÌÔÚÈÎÒÓ ÈÛÙÈÔÊfiÚˆÓ, Ô˘ ‰È¤-
Û¯È˙·Ó ÙËÓ ªÂÛfiÁÂÈÔ Î·È ÙËÓ ª·‡ÚË £¿Ï·ÛÛ· ηٿ
11
transporting wine) decorated with incised representations
of merchant vessels and warships. In the dark years which
followed the Ottoman conquest up to the rebirth of the
Hellenic nation, the sea was the theatre of fierce battles
between foreign naval powers. The galleys of Venice
prevail and the first cannons are installed in ships, leaving
their mark on the maritime tradition of the Aegean with the
galiots of Psara. The end of the era of oar-powered ships
drew near as sailing vessels gained the ascendancy, large
ships of the line, sacoleves and brigs. Particular emphasis
is given to the navy of the Hellenic Revolution. Taking
place of prominence in this respect are a number of
compelling exhibits which include oil paintings by
Constantine Volanakis depicting the destruction of a
Turkish frigate at Eressos by Hellenic fireships and the
Battle of Navarino, as well as the original revolutionary flag
of a Spetses ship. These are displayed alongside
historical heirlooms such as weapons, personal effects
and portraits of the heroic naval fighters of 1821.
Some of the museum's most valuable exhibits
complement the displays in these halls. These include
ship models made of bone in the early 19th century by
French prisoners of the Napoleonic Wars, oil paintings by
18th century Dutch artists, engravings, weapons and
nautical instruments. These artefacts make up the
Aristotle Onassis’ collection which once decorated the
celebrated yacht “Christina” of the famous Hellene
shipowner.
The next two halls are devoted to the Hellenic Navy from
the time of the founding of the modern Hellenic State up
to the present day. The country's turbulent contemporary
history is vividly reflected in the models of Hellas’ first
national warships, the frigate “Hellas” and the paddle
steamer corvette “Karteria”, the heroic “Enosis” of the
Crete Uprising (1866-68), of fleet vessels at the time of the
Balkan Wars with first and foremost the armoured cruiser
“G. Averof”, as well as of the first Hellenic submarine, the
“Delfin”, the cruiser “Elli”, the destroyer “Vasilissa Olga”,
the WWII submarine “Papanikolis”, etc. All these objects
are complemented by fine oil paintings by artists who
include Vasileios Hatzis, Lykourgos Kogevinas, Aimilios
Prosalentis, Vasileios Germenis and Nikolaos
Kalogeropoulos, who with their paint brushes
immortalised the great sea action of the Hellenic Navy,
along with many artefacts from the glorious naval battles.
References to the men who distinguished themselves in
the course of their naval service are made through
portraits, photographs, decorations, uniforms and
weapons.
The sea epics of the Hellenic Merchant Marine are
presented next, from the establishment of the first Hellenic
ocean steamship company on Syros up to the Hellenes-
owned merchant fleet's present position as world leader.
The exhibition ends with a vivid portrayal of the
construction of a traditional trechandiri and a presentation
of the various types of merchant sailing ships that plied
the eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea in the 19th and
ÙÔ˘˜ 19Ô Î·È 20fi ·ÈÒÓ˜ Ì ÔÏ˘¿ÚÈıÌ· ÔÌÔÈÒÌ·Ù· ÙˆÓ
ÛηÚÈÒÓ Ô˘ Û·Ó «·ÓÙÚȈ̤ÓÔÈ ·Ú¯¿ÁÁÂÏÔÈ» ‰È¤Û¯È˙·Ó
¿ÏÏÔÙ ÙȘ ı¿Ï·ÛÛ¤˜ Ì·˜.
™ÙÔ ¯ÒÚÔ ÙÔ˘ ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ ˘¿Ú¯ÂÈ Â›Û˘ ¡·˘ÙÈ΋
µÈ‚ÏÈÔı‹ÎË ·ÓÔÈÎÙ‹ ÛÙÔ ÎÔÈÓfi ηٿ ÙȘ Ë̤Ú˜ Î·È ÒÚ˜
ÏÂÈÙÔ˘ÚÁ›·˜ ÙÔ˘, Ë ÔÔ›· ‰È·ı¤ÙÂÈ ÂÚÈÛÛfiÙÂÚÔ˘˜ ·fi
14.000 ÙfiÌÔ˘˜ ‚È‚Ï›ˆÓ Î·È ÂÚÈÔ‰ÈÎÒÓ Ì ·ÚÈÔ ı¤Ì· ÙË
Ó·˘ÙÈ΋ ÈÛÙÔÚ›·, ÂÈÛÙ‹ÌË Î·È Ù¤¯ÓË.
¶ÏÔ˘ÛÈfiÙ·ÙÔ Â›Ó·È ÙÔ ÈÛÙÔÚÈÎfi Î·È ÊˆÙÔÁÚ·ÊÈÎfi ·Ú¯Â›Ô,
·ÏÏ¿ Î·È Ì›· Û˘ÏÏÔÁ‹ Û¿ÓÈˆÓ ¯·ÚÙÒÓ ÙÔ˘ ÂÏÏËÓÈÎÔ‡
·ÏÏ¿ Î·È ·ÁÎfiÛÌÈÔ˘ ¯ÒÚÔ˘ ·fi ÙÔÓ 16Ô ˆ˜ ÙÔÓ 19Ô
·ÈÒÓ·, Ô˘ Ê˘ÏÏ¿ÛÔÓÙ·È Â›Û˘ ÛÙÔ ªÔ˘ÛÂ›Ô ·ÏÏ¿
ÂÏÏ›„ÂÈ ¯ÒÚÔ˘ ‰ÂÓ ÂÎÙ›ıÂÓÙ·È.
∆Ô ¡·˘ÙÈÎfi ªÔ˘ÛÂ›Ô Â͈ڷ˝ÛıËΠÂ͈ÙÂÚÈο Ì ȉȈÙÈ-
Τ˜ ¯ÔÚËÁ›Â˜, ÂÓÒ ¤Ù˘¯Â ÙË Û˘ÌÌÂÙÔ¯‹ ÙÔ˘ ÛÙÔ ÂȯÂÈ-
ÚËÛÈ·Îfi ÚfiÁÚ·ÌÌ· Ù˘ “∫ÔÈÓˆÓ›·˜ Ù˘ ¶ÏËÚÔÊÔÚ›·˜”
Ì ٛÙÏÔ ¶§OÀ™ ÙÔ ÔÔ›Ô ÂÓÙ¿ÛÛÂÙ·È ÛÙÔ °’ ∫ÔÈÓÔÙÈÎfi
¶Ï·›ÛÈÔ ™Ù‹ÚÈ͢ Ù˘ ∂.∂. ∆Ô ÚfiÁÚ·ÌÌ· ·ÔÛÎÔ›
ÛÙÔÓ ÂÎÛ˘Á¯ÚÔÓÈÛÌfi Ù˘ Ù¯ÓÔÏÔÁÈ΋˜ ˘Ô‰ÔÌ‹˜ ÙÔ˘
ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ, ÛÙËÓ „ËÊÈÔÔ›ËÛË Î·È ÙÂÎÌËÚ›ˆÛË ÙˆÓ ÎÂÈ-
ÌËÏ›ˆÓ Î·È ÂÎıÂÌ¿ÙˆÓ ÙÔ˘ Î·È ÙËÓ Î·Ù·¯ÒÚËÛ‹ ÙÔ˘˜ ÛÂ
ÚÔÛÂÁÁ›ÛÈÌË ‚¿ÛË ‰Â‰Ô̤ӈÓ. ™˘Á¯ÚfiÓˆ˜ ÙÔ ÂÂÍÂÚ-
Á·Ṳ̂ÓÔ ˘ÏÈÎfi ı· ¯ÚËÛÈÌÔÔÈËı› ÁÈ· ÙË ‰ËÌÈÔ˘ÚÁ›·
ÂΉfiÛÂˆÓ Î·ıÒ˜ Î·È ÛÙËÓ Î·Ù·Û΢‹ ÌÈ·˜ ‡Ï˘ ‰È·‰È-
ÎÙ‡Ô˘ Ì ‰ÈÂıÓ‹ ÚÔ‚ÔÏ‹ ÙÔ˘ ÂÎıÂÛÈ·ÎÔ‡ ˘ÏÈÎÔ‡ ηÈ
ÙˆÓ ‰Ú·ÛÙËÚÈÔÙ‹ÙˆÓ ÙÔ˘ ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ.
ŒÓ· ·fi Ù· ÛËÌ·ÓÙÈÎfiÙÂÚ· ¤ÚÁ· ÙÔ˘ ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ Û‹ÌÂÚ·
Â›Ó·È Ë ÍÂÓ¿ÁËÛË, ¤Ú·Ó ÙˆÓ Û˘Ó‹ıˆÓ ÂÈÛÎÂÙÒÓ,
14.000 ÂÚ›Ô˘ Ì·ıËÙÒÓ ÂÙËÛ›ˆ˜. ∏ ‚Ȉ̷ÙÈ΋ ‰È‰·-
Ûηϛ· Ù˘ Ó·˘ÙÈ΋˜ ÈÛÙÔÚ›·˜ Î·È ·Ú¿‰ÔÛ˘ Û ÙfiÛÔ
ÌÂÁ¿ÏÔ ·ÚÈıÌfi ÛÔ˘‰·ÛÙÒÓ fiÏˆÓ ÙˆÓ ÂÎ·È‰Â˘ÙÈÎÒÓ
‚·ıÌ›‰ˆÓ ·ÔÙÂÏ› ·fi ÌfiÓË Ù˘ ÛÎÔfi ‡·Ú͢ ÙÔ˘
ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ Î·È Î›ÓËÙÚÔ Â˘ÓÔ˚΋˜ ·ÓÙÈÌÂÙÒÈÛ‹˜ ÙÔ˘ ·fi
ÙËÓ ¶ÔÏÈÙ›· Î·È ÙÔ˘˜ ÊÔÚ›˜ Ù˘.
ŒÙÛÈ ¯ˆÚ›˜ ·ÎfiÌ· Ó· ¤¯ÂÈ ÂÈχÛÂÈ ÙÔ ÔÈÎÔÓÔÌÈÎfi ÙÔ˘
Úfi‚ÏËÌ· (2005), ÙÔ ªÔ˘ÛÂ›Ô ÂÎÛ˘Á¯ÚÔÓ›˙ÂÈ ÙȘ ÔÚÁ·-
ÓˆÙÈΤ˜ ÙÔ˘ ‰Ô̤˜ Î·È ·ÔÎÙ¿ ÙË Ê˘ÛÈÔÁӈ̛· ÂÓfi˜
ÒÚÈÌÔ˘ Û‡Á¯ÚÔÓÔ˘ ÔÚÁ·ÓÈÛÌÔ‡ ÙÔ˘ ÔÔ›Ô˘ ÙÔ ÂÈÛÙË-
ÌÔÓÈÎfi ÚÔÛˆÈÎfi Â›Ó·È Û ı¤ÛË Ó· ·ÊÔÌÔÈÒÛÂÈ Î·È Ó·
ÏÂÈÙÔ˘ÚÁ‹ÛÂÈ fiϘ ÙȘ ¢ÎÔϛ˜ Ô˘ ·Ú¤¯ÂÈ Ë ÛËÌÂÚÈÓ‹
Ù¯ÓÔÏÔÁ›·, ηÙÔÚıÒÓÔÓÙ·˜ Ó· Û˘ÁηٷϤÁÂÙ·È ÛÙËÓ
ÚÒÙË ÛÂÈÚ¿ ÔÏÈÙÈÛÙÈÎÒÓ È‰Ú˘Ì¿ÙˆÓ fi¯È ÌfiÓÔ ÙÔ˘
ÙfiÔ˘ Ì·˜, ·ÏÏ¿ Î·È Ù˘ ‰ÈÂıÓÔ‡˜ ηٿٷ͢.
¶ÔÏÏÔ› ‚Ô‹ıËÛ·Ó ÙÔ ªÔ˘ÛÂ›Ô ÛÙË ‰È¿ÚÎÂÈ· ÙˆÓ 56 ¯Úfi-
ÓˆÓ Ù˘ ÏÂÈÙÔ˘ÚÁ›·˜ ÙÔ˘. ø˜ ÊÔÚ›˜ ı· Ú¤ÂÈ Ó· ·Ó·-
ÊÂÚıÔ‡Ó ÙÔ ÀÔ˘ÚÁÂ›Ô ∂ıÓÈ΋˜ ÕÌ˘Ó·˜ (°∂¡), ÙÔ
ÀÔ˘ÚÁÂ›Ô ∂ÌÔÚÈ΋˜ ¡·˘ÙÈÏ›·˜ (¡∞∆) Î·È ÙÔ ÀÔ˘Ú-
ÁÂ›Ô ¶ÔÏÈÙÈÛÌÔ‡. ¶ÔÏÏÔ› ˘‹ÚÍ·Ó Â›Û˘ Î·È ÔÈ È‰ÈÒÙ˜
Ô˘ ‚Ô‹ıËÛ·Ó ÙÔ ªÔ˘Û›Ô, Ù· ÔÓfiÌ·Ù· ÙˆÓ ÔÔ›ˆÓ
·Ó·Ê¤ÚÔÓÙ·È ÛÙ· ÂÎı¤Ì·Ù· ÙˆÓ ‰ˆÚÂÒÓ ÙÔ˘˜.
∏ ÚÔÛ¿ıÂÈ· ‰È¿ÛˆÛ˘ Ù˘ Ó·˘ÙÈ΋˜ Ì·˜ ÎÏËÚÔÓÔÌÈ¿˜
Û˘Ó¯›˙ÂÙ·È ·‰È¿ÎÔ·. ∂›Ó·È ÛËÌ·ÓÙÈÎfi Û ·˘Ù‹ ÙË ¯ÒÚ·
Ô˘ ·fi ·ÓÙÔ‡ ·ÁÓ·ÓÙ‡ԢÌ ı¿Ï·ÛÛ·, fiÛÔÈ ¤¯Ô˘Ó
Û¯¤ÛË Î·È ·Ó·ÁÓˆÚ›˙Ô˘Ó ÙËÓ ÙÂÚ¿ÛÙÈ· Û˘Ì‚ÔÏ‹ Ù˘
ÛÙËÓ ·Ó·Á¤ÓÓËÛË Î·È ÌÂÙ¤ÂÈÙ· ÂÈ‚›ˆÛË ÙÔ˘ ∂ÏÏËÓÈÎÔ‡
°¤ÓÔ˘˜, Ó· ‚ÔËı‹ÛÔ˘Ó Î·ı' ÔÈÔÓ‰‹ÔÙ ÙÚfiÔ, Ó·
Á›ÓÔ˘Ó Ì¤ÏË ÙÔ˘ ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ Î·È Ó· Ï¿‚Ô˘Ó Ì¤ÚÔ˜ ÛÙȘ
‰Ú·ÛÙËÚÈfiÙËÙ¤˜ ÙÔ˘.
12
20th centuries through numerous models of the vessels
which once crossed the oceans like "mighty archangels".
The museum also houses a Naval Library which is open
to the public on the same days and hours as the museum.
The library has over 14,000 volumes and periodicals
mainly on the theme of naval history, science and art.
It also has rich historical and photo archives, as well as a
collection of rare maps of Hellas and the world dating
from the 16th to the 19th century, which are kept at the
museum but are not on display due to lack of space.
The Maritime Museum, whose exterior has undergone a
face-lift thanks to a number of private donations, has
secured its participation in the operational programme
“Information Society” with a project entitled “PLOUS”
within the framework of the European Union's 3rd
Community Support Framework for Hellas. The aim of the
project is the modernisation of the museum's
technological infrastructure, the digitalisation and
documentation of its heirlooms and exhibits and their
recording in an accessible database. At the same time,
the material thus processed will be used to produce
publications and create a web gateway through which the
museum's exhibits and activities may be projected
internationally.
Guided tours have become one of the most important
activities of the museum, not only for its regular visitors
but also for approximately 14,000 schoolchildren
annually. Hands-on teaching of maritime history and
tradition to such a large number of students of all grades
in itself constitutes justification for the museum's
continued operation and an added incentive for
favourable treatment by the State and its agencies.
Thus, without having yet resolved its financial problem
(2005), the museum is overhauling its organisational
structures and taking on the characteristics of a mature,
modern institution whose scientific personnel is fully
capable of adopting and using all the facilities afforded by
present-day technology. In doing so, it has attained a
ranking among the foremost cultural institutions not only
in Hellas but internationally.
Many people have helped the museum during its 56 years
of operation. As far as agencies are concerned, special
mention should be made of the Ministry of National
Defence, the Ministry of Merchant Marine and the Ministry
of Culture. Many private individuals have also provided
assistance, the names of whom are mentioned alongside
the exhibits of their donations.
The efforts being made to save our maritime heritage are
continuing ceaselessly. It is most important in this
country, where the sea is never far from sight, for
everyone in any way connected with it and who
recognises its enormous contribution to the rebirth and
subsequent survival of the Hellenic Nation, to help in any
way possible, to become members of the museum and to
take part in its activities.
 TÔ N·˘ÙÈÎfiÓ MÔ˘Û›ÔÓ Ù˘ EÏÏ¿‰Ô˜. ŒÓ· Û‡ÓÙÔÌÔ ÈÛÙÔÚÈÎfi.
The Hellenic Maritime Museum. A brief history.

1. Commemorative photograph. ∆he signing of the founding act of the Hellenic Maritime Museum in the offices of the Minister of the
Navy, of that time, Gerasimos Vasiliadis, on 7th April, 1949. Pictured from left to right, the lawyer Themistoklis Valsamakis, Captain
(C.G.) and Piraeus Harbourmaster D. Margetis, Rear Admiral R.H.N. Leonidas Theocharis, lawyer Constantine Dardanos, lawyer
Deucalion Rediadis, industrialist E. Anargyrou, the Reverend Bishop of Piraeus Georgios Patsis, Vice Admiral R.∏.¡. Demetrios
Economou, Minister of the Navy Gerasimos Vasiliadis, author-academic Spyros Melas, lawyer-historian Ioannis Meletopoulos,
journalist-author Epaminondas Bambouris, Rear Admiral R.H.N. Demetrios Loundras, Rear Admiral R.H.N. Theodoros Kountouriotis
and Vice Admiral R.H.N. D. Fokas.

13
 3

3. ∏ ÔÈΛ· ¶ÈÈÓ¤ÏË ÛÙËÓ ∞ÎÙ‹ ªÔ˘ÙÛÔÔ‡ÏÔ˘ 18, fiÔ˘ ÛÙÂÁ¿ÛÙËΠ·Ú¯Èο ÙÔ ¡·˘ÙÈÎfi ªÔ˘ÛÂ›Ô Ù˘ ∂ÏÏ¿‰Ô˜. ∆· Â›ÛËÌ· ÂÁη›ÓÈ·
ÙÂϤÛıËÎ·Ó ÙËÓ 27Ë πÔ˘Ó›Ô˘ 1955.

3. The Pipinelis residence on 18, Akti Moutsopoulou, where the Museum was housed for the first time. The official inauguration was
held on 27th June, 1955.

4. ∂͈ÙÂÚÈ΋ ¿Ô„Ë ÙÔ˘ ÎÙËÚ›Ô˘ Ô˘ ÛÙÂÁ¿˙ÂÙ·È Û‹ÌÂÚ· ÙÔ ¡·˘ÙÈÎfi ªÔ˘ÛÂ›Ô Ù˘ ∂ÏÏ¿‰Ô˜ ÛÙÔ ÏÈÌ¿ÓÈ Ù˘ ∑¤·˜.

4. External view of the Museum's building at Zea harbour.

14
5

5. ÷ڷÎÙËÚÈÛÙÈ΋ Â›Ó·È Ë ·›ıÔ˘Û· Ù˘ ÂÈÛfi‰Ô˘ ÙÔ˘ ¡·˘ÙÈÎÔ‡ ªÔ˘Û›Ԣ Ù˘ ∂ÏÏ¿‰Ô˜ fiÔ˘ ¤¯ÂÈ ÂÚÈÏËÊı› ¤Ó· ÙÌ‹Ì·
ÙÔ˘ ÎÔÓÒÓÂÈÔ˘ Ù›¯Ô˘˜ (4Ô˜ ·È. .Ã.) Ô˘ ‰È¤ÙÚ¯ ÙËÓ ÂÈÚ·˚΋ ·ÎÙ‹.

5. The characteristic entrance hall of the Museum contains a part of the ancient Conon walls (4th century B.C.)
that enclosed the Piraeus coastline.

15
 ¢È·ÙÂϤ۷ÓÙ˜ ¶Úfi‰ÚÔÈ ÙÔ˘ N·˘ÙÈÎÔ‡ MÔ˘Û›Ԣ Ù˘ EÏÏ¿‰Ô˜.

Former Presidents of the Hellenic Maritime Museum.

ñ °ÂÒÚÁÈÔ˜ ™ÙÚ›ÁÎÔ˜, ñ Georgios Stringos,

∂ÊÔÏÈÛÙ‹˜. Shipowner.
∞fi 8.7.1949 ¤ˆ˜ 18.5.1953 From 8.7.1949 until 18.5.1953

ñ ¢ËÌ‹ÙÚÈÔ˜ OÈÎÔÓfiÌÔ˘, ñ Demetrios Economou,

∞ÓÙÈÓ·‡·Ú¯Ô˜ µ.¡. Â.·. Vice ∞dmiral R.H.N. ret.
∞fi 19.5.1953 ¤ˆ˜ 13.10.1957 From 19.5.1953 until 13.10.1957

ñ ∫ˆÓÛÙ·ÓÙ›ÓÔ˜ ∞ÏÂÍ·Ó‰Ú‹˜, ñ Constantinos Alexandris,

∞ÓÙÈÓ·‡·Ú¯Ô˜ µ.¡. Â.·. Vice ∞dmiral R.H.N. ret.
∞fi 14.10.1957 ¤ˆ˜ 21.3.1973 From 14.10.1957 until 21.3.1973

ñ ÃÚ‹ÛÙÔ˜ §Â‚·ÓÙ›ÓÔ˜, ñ Christos Levandinos,

ÀÔÓ·‡·Ú¯Ô˜ ¶.¡. Â.·. Rear ∞dmiral H.N. ret.
∞fi 22.3.1973 ¤ˆ˜ 23.4.1975 From 22.3.1973 until 23.4.1975

ñ ∂ÌÌ·ÓÔ˘‹Ï ª·ÎÚ‹˜, ñ Emmanuel Makris,

ÀÔÓ·‡·Ú¯Ô˜ ¶.¡. Â.·. Rear ∞dmiral H.N. ret.
∞fi 24.4.1975 ¤ˆ˜ 9.3.1988 From 23.4.1975 until 9.3.1988

ñ ∫ˆÓÛÙ·ÓÙ›ÓÔ˜ ¶·˝˙˘-¶·Ú·‰¤ÏÏ˘, ñ Constantinos Paizis-Paradellis,

∞ÓÙÈÓ·‡·Ú¯Ô˜ ¶.¡. Â.·. Vice ∞dmiral H.N. ret.
∞fi 10.3.1988 ¤ˆ˜ 23.11.2002 From 10.3.1988 until 23.11.2002

16
K·È ÙÔ ı·Ï·ÛÛÈÓfi Ù·Í›‰È ·Ú¯›˙ÂÈ....
And the sea travel begins....
 ∫·È ÙÔ ı·Ï·ÛÛÈÓfi Ù·Í›‰È ·Ú¯›˙ÂÈ....
T· ÏÔ›· ÙˆÓ EÏÏ‹ÓˆÓ: Afi ÙȘ ۯ‰›Â˜ Î·È Ù· ÌÔÓfiÍ˘Ï· ÙˆÓ ÚÔ˚ÛÙÔÚÈÎÒÓ ¯ÚfiÓˆÓ
̤¯ÚÈ ÙÔ˘˜ Á›Á·ÓÙ˜ ÙˆÓ ı·Ï·ÛÛÒÓ Ù˘ EÏÏËÓÈÛÙÈ΋˜ ÂÚÈfi‰Ô˘.

And the sea travel begins….

The Hellenic ships: from rafts and dug-out canoes in the prehistoric time to
the giants of the seas in the Hellenistic period.

¢ÂÓ ÌÔÚԇ̠ӷ ÚÔÛ‰ÈÔÚ›ÛÔ˘Ì fiÙÂ Ô ¿ÓıÚˆÔ˜
Í·ÓÔ›¯ÙËΠ¿Óˆ ÛÙÔ ˘ÁÚfi ÛÙÔÈ¯Â›Ô Î·È ·fi fiÙ Ú·Á-
Ì·ÙÔÔÈ‹ıËÎ·Ó Ù·Í›‰È· ·ÓÔȯً˜ ı·Ï¿ÛÛ˘. OÈ ÂȉÈÎÔ›
·Ó·Ê¤ÚÔ˘Ó ¯ÚÔÓÔÏÔÁ›Â˜ fiˆ˜ 200.000 ¯ÚfiÓÈ· ·fi
Û‹ÌÂÚ· ÁÈ· ÙÔÓ ‰È¿ÏÔ˘ ÙˆÓ ÛÙÂÓÒÓ ÙÔ˘ °È‚Ú·ÏÙ¿Ú Î·È
·ÎfiÌ· ÈÔ ÚÒÈ̘ ¯ÚÔÓÔÏÔÁ›Â˜ ÁÈ· Ù· ÛÙÂÓ¿ ÙÔ˘ ª¤-
ÚÈÓÁÎ Î·È Ù·Í›‰È· ·Ó¿ÌÂÛ· Û ‰È¿ÊÔÚ· ÓËÛȈÙÈο
Û˘ÌϤÁÌ·Ù· ÙÔ˘ ∂ÈÚËÓÈÎÔ‡ Î·È ÙÔ˘ ∞ÙÏ·ÓÙÈÎÔ‡ ˆÎ·-
ÓÔ‡.
We cannot determine when man, first ventured onto the
water element and since when, voyages on the open
seas, were being carried out. Experts propose dates of
200,000 years ago for the crossing of the straits of
Gibraltar and even earlier times for the Bering straits and
journeys among various island groups in the Pacific and
the Atlantic Ocean.

∞Ê‹ÓÔÓÙ·˜ fï˜ ·˘Ù¤˜ ÙȘ Ôχ Ì·ÎÚÈÓ¤˜ ¯ÚÔÓÔÏÔÁ›Â˜,
ÌÔÚԇ̠̠‚‚·ÈfiÙËÙ· Ó· Ô‡ÌÂ, fiÙÈ ÙÔ ·Ú¯·ÈfiÙÂÚÔ
Ù·Í›‰È ·ÓÔȯً˜ ı·Ï¿ÛÛ˘ ÛÙÔÓ ÎfiÛÌÔ ÁÈ· ÙÔ ÔÔ›Ô
¤¯Ô˘Ì ÙÂÎÌËÚȈ̤ÓË Ì·ÚÙ˘Ú›· ¤ÁÈÓ ÛÙÔ ∞ÈÁ·›Ô ηÈ
·ÊÔÚ¿ οÔÈ· ÌÂÙ·ÊÔÚ¿ ԄȉȷÓÔ‡* ·fi ÙË ª‹ÏÔ ÛÙÔ
Û‹Ï·ÈÔ ºÚ¿Á¯ıË Ù˘ ∞ÚÁÔÏ›‰·˜ 10.000 ¯ÚfiÓÈ· ÚÈÓ
·fi Û‹ÌÂÚ·. ∂›Ù ÙÔ Ù·Í›‰È ¤ÁÈÓ ·¢ı›·˜ ·fi ÙȘ
∫˘ÎÏ¿‰Â˜ ÛÙËÓ ¶ÂÏÔfiÓÓËÛÔ, ›Ù ÔÈ Ì·ÎÚÈÓÔ› ı·Ï·ÛÛÔ-
fiÚÔÈ ÙˆÓ ÌÂÛÔÏÈıÈÎÒÓ ¯ÚfiÓˆÓ ·ÎÔÏÔ‡ıËÛ·Ó ÙÔÓ Â˘ÎÔ-
ÏfiÙÂÚÔ ı·Ï¿ÛÛÈÔ ‰ÚfiÌÔ, Ô˘ ·fi ÙË ª‹ÏÔ Ô‰ËÁ› ÛÙËÓ
§·˘ÚˆÙÈ΋ (Ì ÂӉȿÌÂÛ˜ ÛοϘ Ù· ÓËÛÈ¿), ÚfiÎÂÈÙ·È
ÁÈ· ¤Ó· Â›Ù¢ÁÌ· Ù˘ ÚÒÈÌ˘ Ó·˘ÛÈÏÔ˝·˜, ÌÈ· Î·È Ù·
ÚˆÙfiÁÔÓ· Ï›ıÈÓ· ÂÚÁ·Ï›· Ô˘ ‰È¤ıÂÙ·Ó ÙfiÙ ‰ÂÓ Â¤-
ÙÚÂ·Ó ÙËÓ Î·Ù·Û΢‹ οÔÈÔ˘ ÔχÏÔÎÔ˘ Ó·˘ËÁ‹-
Ì·ÙÔ˜.
If we set aside these remote times, we can safely say
that the first ever, voyage on the open seas, for which we
have documented evidence, took place in the Aegean,
and involved the transportation of obsidian* from the
island of Melos to the cave of Franchthi in the Argolis,
10,000 years ago. This voyage was carried out, either
directly from the Cyclades to the Peloponnese or, these
ancient mesolithic sea-farers followed the easier sea
route, from Melos to the Lavreotic, using as intermediary
ports the islands. In any case, this constitutes an
achievement in early navigation, as the primitive stone
tools they had at their disposal did not allow for the
building of an intricate naval construction.

¢ÂÓ ı· Ì¿ıÔ˘Ì ÔÙ¤ Â¿Ó Ô Ô„È‰È·Ófi˜ Ô˘ ‚Ú¤ıËΠÛÙÔ We shall never know whether the obsidian found in the
ÌÂÛÔÏÈıÈÎfi ÛÙÚÒÌ· Ù˘ ·Ó·Ûηʋ˜ ÙÔ˘ ÛËÏ·›Ô˘ ºÚ¿Á- Mesolithic layer of the excavation in Franchthi cave, was
¯ıË ÌÂٷʤÚıËΠ̠ÌÔÓfiÍ˘Ï·, Ì ͇ÏÈÓ˜ ‹ Ì ·˘Ú¤- carried there by dug-outs, or by wooden or papyrus
ÓȘ ۯ‰›Â˜. rafts.

¢ÂÓ Â›Ó·È ÂÚ›ÂÚÁÔ fiÙÈ ÙÔ ∞ÈÁ·›Ô Î·È ÈÔ Û˘ÁÎÂÎÚÈ̤ӷ ÔÈ
∫˘ÎÏ¿‰Â˜ Â›Ó·È Ë ÂÚÈÔ¯‹ fiÔ˘ ¤ÁÈÓ·Ó ÚÒÈ̘ ÚÔÛ¿-
ıÂȘ Ù·ÍȉÈÒÓ ·ÓÔȯً˜ ı·Ï¿ÛÛ˘. ∏ ı¿Ï·ÛÛ· ·˘Ù‹,
ηٿÛ·ÚÙË Ì ÓËÛÈ¿ Î·È ‚Ú·¯ÔÓËÛ›‰Â˜, ‰È·ı¤ÙÂÈ ÌÈ·
ÂÎÙÂٷ̤ÓË ·ÎÙÔÁÚ·ÌÌ‹ fiÔ˘ ÂÓ·ÏÏ¿ÛÛÔÓÙ·È Ù· ·ÎÚˆ-
Ù‹ÚÈ· Ì ÙÔ˘˜ ÎfiÏÔ˘˜, Î·È Û' ·˘Ùfi ÙÔ ÂÚÈ‚¿ÏÏÔÓ ÌÔ-
Ú› Ô Ó·˘ÙÈÎfi˜ Ó· ¤¯ÂÈ Û˘Ó¯Ҙ ÙË ÛÈÁÔ˘ÚÈ¿ fiÙÈ ‚ϤÂÈ
οÔÈ· ÛÙÂÚÈ¿ ÛÙÔÓ ÔÚ›˙ÔÓÙ·. ∞Ó ÚÔÛı¤ÛÔ˘Ì ÙȘ ‹Ș
ÎÏÈÌ·ÙÔÏÔÁÈΤ˜ Û˘Óı‹Î˜, ÙË ‰È·‡ÁÂÈ· Ù˘ ·ÙÌfiÛÊ·ÈÚ·˜
It is no wonder that the Aegean, and specifically the
Cyclades, is the area where early efforts in open sea
voyages were carried out. This sea, scattered with
islands and islets, has an extensive coastline where bays
and capes alternate, and the mariner has always the
confidence that he can spot some land in the horizon. If
we take into account the mild climatic conditions and the
clarity of the atmosphere for long periods of time, we
shall understand that these elements encouraged the

* ∏Ê·ÈÛÙÂÈÔÁÂÓ¤˜ ˘·Ï҉˜ ¤Ùڈ̷, ÙÔ ÔÔ›Ô ÙËÓ ÂÔ¯‹ ÙÔ˘ * Volcanic glass used as material for tools and weapons during
§›ıÔ˘ ¯ÚËÛÈÌÔÔÈÔ‡Ù·Ó ÁÈ· ÙËÓ Î·Ù·Û΢‹ fiÏˆÓ Î·È ÂÚÁ·Ï›ˆÓ. the Stone Age.

18
ÁÈ· ÌÂÁ¿Ï· ‰È·ÛÙ‹Ì·Ù·, ı· ηٷÓÔ‹ÛÔ˘Ì fiÙÈ ·˘Ù¿ Ù·
ÛÙÔȯ›· ÂÓı¿ÚÚ˘Ó·Ó ÙÔ˘˜ ηÙÔ›ÎÔ˘˜ ÙÔ˘ ÓÔÙ›Ô˘ ÙÌ‹Ì·-
ÙÔ˜ Ù˘ ¯ÂÚÛÔÓ‹ÛÔ˘ ÙÔ˘ ∞›ÌÔ˘ - Ô˘ ·ÚÁfiÙÂÚ· ÙÔ˘˜
›·Ì ŒÏÏËÓ˜ - ÈηÓÔÔÈÒÓÙ·˜ ÙËÓ ÂÚȤÚÁÂÈ¿ ÙÔ˘˜,
ÙËÓ ‰›„· Ó· ¿Ó ·Ú·¤Ú·, Ó· ÚˆÙÔÔÚ‹ÛÔ˘Ó ÛÙËÓ
Ù¤¯ÓË ÙÔ˘ ηڷ‚ÔÌ·Ú·ÁÎÔ‡ Î·È ÙÔ˘ Ó·˘Ù›ÏÔ˘. ™ÙËÓ
¶ÚÒÈÌË ∂Ô¯‹ ÙÔ˘ ÷ÏÎÔ‡ ÔÈ ÓËÛÈÒÙ˜ ÙÔ˘ ∞ÈÁ·›Ô˘ ı·
ÂÍÂÏȯıÔ‡Ó Û ÛÔ˘‰·›Ô˘˜ Ó·˘ÙÈÎÔ‡˜.
™ËÌ·ÓÙÈΤ˜ Ì·ÚÙ˘Ú›Â˜ ÁÈ· Ù· ¿ÏÌ·Ù· Ô˘ ¤ÁÈÓ·Ó ÛÙË
Ó·˘ËÁÈ΋ ‚ϤÔ˘Ì ÛÙȘ ·ÂÈÎÔÓ›ÛÂȘ ÏÔ›ˆÓ Ù˘ 3˘
¯ÈÏÈÂÙ›·˜ .Ã. Û ‚Ú·¯ÔÁڷʛ˜, ¯·Ú¿ÁÌ·Ù· Û Û·Ë,
Û ÛÊÚ·ÁȉfiÏÈıÔ˘˜. ∆· ηڿ‚È· Ô˘ ·ÚÈÛÙ¿ÓÔ˘Ó ‰ÂÓ
ÌÔÚÔ‡Ó Û η̛· ÂÚ›ÙˆÛË Ó· ¯·Ú·ÎÙËÚÈÛÙÔ‡Ó ˆ˜
ÚˆÙfiÁÔÓ· ·ÏÏ¿ Â›Ó·È ÙÔ ·ÔÙ¤ÏÂÛÌ· Ì›·˜ Ì·ÎÚ¿˜ Âͤ-
ÏÈ͢ Ô˘ ÎÔÚ˘ÊÒÓÂÙ·È ÛÙ· ̤۷ Ù˘ 2˘ .Ã. ¯ÈÏÈÂÙ›·˜
Ì ÙËÓ ·Ú¿ÛÙ·ÛË ÙÔ˘ ·ÔηÏÔ‡ÌÂÓÔ˘ «ÛÙfiÏÔ˘» ÛÙË
¢˘ÙÈ΋ OÈΛ· ÙˆÓ ÙÔȯÔÁÚ·ÊÈÒÓ Ù˘ ™·ÓÙÔÚ›Ó˘, Ô˘
¯ÚÔÓÔÏÔÁÂ›Ù·È ÂÚ›Ô˘ ÛÙÔ 1550 .Ã.
∏ ·Ú¿ÛÙ·ÛË ·˘Ù‹ Â›Ó·È ÂÍ·ÈÚÂÙÈο ÛËÌ·ÓÙÈ΋ ÁÈ·Ù› ÛÙ·
‰Âη٤ÛÛÂÚ· ÏÔ›· Î·È ÏÔÈ¿ÚÈ· Ô˘ Û˘ÌÌÂÙ¤¯Ô˘Ó ÛÙËÓ
«ÔÌ‹» ·ÂÈÎÔÓ›˙ÔÓÙ·È fiÏ· Ù· ̤۷ ÚÔÒıËÛ˘: ÙÔ
·Ó›, ÙÔ ÎÔ˘› ÛÙËÚÈÁ̤ÓÔ Û ÛηÚÌfi Î·È Ë ÂχıÂÚË
ΈËÏ·Û›· Ù‡Ô˘ ηÁÈ¿Î, Ô˘ ÛÙ· Á·ÏÏÈο ϤÁÂÙ·È
pagayer Î·È ÛÙ· ·ÁÁÏÈο paddling. O ·Â›ÌÓËÛÙÔ˜ ™˘Ú›-
‰ˆÓ ª·ÚÈÓ¿ÙÔ˜ ÂÊˇÚ ÙË Ï¤ÍË «Ù·ÚÛÔÏÔ˝·» ·fi ÙËÓ
ÔÌËÚÈ΋ ϤÍË Ù·ÚÛfi˜ ÁÈ· Ó· ÂÚÈÁÚ¿„ÂÈ ·˘ÙfiÓ ÙÔÓ
ÙÚfiÔ ÎˆËÏ·Û›·˜.
ªÔÚ› ÔÈ ·ÂÈÎÔÓ›ÛÂȘ ÏÔÈ·Ú›ˆÓ Ù˘ 4˘ ¯ÈÏÈÂÙ›·˜ ηÈ
Èı·ÓÒ˜ ÚˆÈÌfiÙÂÚ˜ Ó· ¯¿ıËÎ·Ó Ì ÙËÓ ·Ó‡„ˆÛË Ù˘
ı¿Ï·ÛÛ·˜, Ô˘ Û οÔÈ· ÛËÌ›· - fiˆ˜ Û˘ÁÎÂÎÚÈ̤ӷ
ÛÙÔ ºÚ¿Á¯ıË - ÊÙ¿ÓÂÈ Ù· 108 ̤ÙÚ·, ηχÙÔÓÙ·˜ ÌÂÁ¿-
ÏÔ Ì¤ÚÔ˜ ÙÔ˘ ÂÛˆÙÂÚÈÎÔ‡ ÙÔ˘ ÛËÏ·›Ô˘, ÙÔ ÔÔ›Ô ˘Ô-
Á›ˆ˜ Û˘Ó‰¤ÂÙ·È Ì ÙË ı¿Ï·ÛÛ·.
¶ÔÏϤ˜ ¿ÏϘ ·Ú·ÛÙ¿ÛÂȘ ÏÔ›ˆÓ ÙˆÓ ªÈÓˆÈÙÒÓ Î·È
ÙˆÓ ª˘ÎËÓ·›ˆÓ Ì·ÚÙ˘ÚÔ‡Ó fiÙÈ ·fi Ù· ̤۷ Ù˘ 2˘ .Ã.
¯ÈÏÈÂÙ›·˜ ˘‹Ú¯Â ÛÙÔ ∞ÈÁ·›Ô ÌÈ· ÈÛ¯˘Ú‹ ı·Ï·ÛÛÔÎÚ·ÙÔ-
Ú›· Î·È fiÙÈ Ë Ù¤¯ÓË Ù˘ Ó·˘ËÁÈ΋˜ ‚ÚÈÛÎfiÙ·Ó Û Ï‹ÚË
ÂͤÏÈÍË.
∂¿Ó ÁÈ· Ù· ÚÔ˚ÛÙÔÚÈο ¯ÚfiÓÈ· ¤¯Ô˘Ì ÌfiÓÔ ÂÈÎÔÓÔÁÚ·-
ÊÈΤ˜ Ì·ÚÙ˘Ú›Â˜ ÁÈ· Ù· ÏÔ›· ÙˆÓ ∂ÏÏ‹ÓˆÓ Û˘ÓÂÈÎÔ˘-
ÚÔ‡ÌÂÓ˜, ‚‚·›ˆ˜, ·fi Ó·˘ÙÈΤ˜ ÂÚÈÁڷʤ˜ ÙˆÓ ÔÌË-
ÚÈÎÒÓ ÂÒÓ, Ô˘ ÏÔÁÈÎfi Â›Ó·È Ó· ÌÂٷʤÚÔ˘Ó ÌӋ̘
ÚÔÁÂÓ¤ÛÙÂÚ˜, ÁÈ· Ù· ÌÂÙ¤ÂÈÙ· ¯ÚfiÓÈ· ¤¯Ô˘Ì ÌÈ·
ÏÔ‡ÛÈ· ÔÈÎÈÏ›· ·Ú·ÛÙ¿ÛÂˆÓ ·ÏÏ¿ Î·È ÎÂÈ̤ӈÓ, Ù·
ÔÔ›· Ì·˜ ‚ÔËıÔ‡Ó Ó· ηٷÓÔ‹ÛÔ˘Ì ηχÙÂÚ· ÙȘ Ó·˘-
ÙÈΤ˜ ‰Ú·ÛÙËÚÈfiÙËÙ˜ ÙˆÓ ÚÔÁfiÓˆÓ Ì·˜ ÂÓ Î·ÈÚÒ ÂÈÚ‹-
Ó˘ Î·È ÂÓ Î·ÈÚÒ ÔϤÌÔ˘.
°‡Úˆ ÛÙ· ̤۷ ÙÔ˘ 13Ô˘ ·ÈÒÓ· .Ã. Î·È Ï›ÁÔ ·ÚÁfiÙÂÚ·,
ÔÈ ÔÏÈÙÈÛÌÔ› Ù˘ ·Ó·ÙÔÏÈ΋˜ ªÂÛÔÁ›Ԣ Û˘ÁÎÏÔÓ›˙ÔÓÙ·È
·fi Ì·˙ÈΤ˜ ÂÈÛ‚ÔϤ˜ Ó¤ˆÓ ÏËı˘ÛÌÒÓ Ô˘ Û·ÚÒÓÔ˘Ó
ÙÔ˘˜ ·ÏÈfiÙÂÚÔ˘˜. °È· ÙÔÓ ÂÏÏËÓÈÎfi ¯ÒÚÔ ·fi ÙÔÓ 11Ô
.Ã. ·ÈÒÓ· ·Ú¯›˙ÂÈ Ë ÂÚ›Ô‰Ô˜ ÙˆÓ «ÛÎÔÙÂÈÓÒÓ ·ÈÒÓˆÓ»,
Ô˘ ı· ‰È·ÚΤÛÂÈ ¤ˆ˜ ÙÔÓ 9Ô .Ã. ·ÈÒÓ· ÂÚ›Ô˘. ∆ËÓ
19
inhabitants of the southern part of the Aimos peninsula,
who were later named Hellenes, in satisfying their
curiosity and their longing to go even further, to become
pioneers in the mastery of ships carpentry and
seamanship. In the early copper age, the islanders of the
Aegean evolved into great sea-farers.
We find important evidence for the great leaps made in
shipbuilding of the 3rd millennium B.C. on rock carvings,
utensil engravings and seal engravings. The ships that
are depicted cannot, under any circumstances, be
described as primitive. They are the outcome of a long
evolution which came to its peak during the middle of
the 2nd millennium B.C., as we can see in the so called
“Ship Procession” fresco in the West House of Akrotiri in
the Santorini island, which dates back to 1550 B.C.
This fresco is extremely important because, on these 14
larger and smaller vessels participating in this
procession, all methods of propulsion are depicted: the
sail, the oar on its thole pin and free kayak type rowing
which, in French, is called pagayer and in English,
paddling. The first excavator of Akrotiri, Spyridon
Marinatos invented the word “tarsoploia” from the
Homeric word tarsos in order to describe this method of
paddling.
Representations of 4th millennium vessels, and even
earlier, may have been lost with the rising of the sea,
which in some places, as specifically in Franchthi,
reaches 108 metres covering an important part of the
interior of the cave, which is underground, connected
with the sea.
Many other representations of Minoan and Mycenaean
ships reveal that from the middle of the 2nd millennium
B.C., there was a great sea power in the Aegean and
that the mastery of shipbuilding was in full progress.
For these prehistoric times, we have only pictorial
evidence of the Hellenic ships, supplemented of course
by marine descriptions from the Homeric epics that
certainly bear earlier memories. For the ensuing years,
we have an abundant variety of representations and texts
that enable us to better understand the marine activities
of our ancestors during periods of war and peace.
Around the middle of the 13th century B.C., and a little
later, the civilizations of the eastern Mediterranean are
shocked by mass invasions of new populations that
swept over the older ones. In the Hellenic area, a period
of “dark ages” commenced from the 11th century B.C.
and lasted till about the 9th century B.C. During this
ÂÚ›Ô‰Ô ·˘Ù‹, ˆÛÙfiÛÔ, ÛËÌ·ÓÙÈΤ˜ ·Ó·Î·Ù·Ù¿ÍÂȘ Ï·Ì-
‚¿ÓÔ˘Ó ¯ÒÚ· ÛÙÔ ∞ÈÁ·›Ô Î·È ‰È·ÌÔÚÊÒÓÔ˘Ó ÙȘ Û˘Óı‹-
Θ ÁÈ· ÙËÓ ÌÂÙ¤ÂÈÙ· ·Ó¿Ù˘ÍË ÙÔ˘ ÂÏÏËÓÈÎÔ‡ ÔÏÈÙÈ-
ÛÌÔ‡ ÙˆÓ ·Ú¯·˚ÎÒÓ Î·È ÎÏ·ÛÈÎÒÓ ¯ÚfiÓˆÓ. ª˘ÎËÓ·›ÔÈ,
οو ·fi ÙËÓ ›ÂÛË ÙˆÓ ¢ˆÚȤˆÓ Î·È ¿ÏÏˆÓ ÂÏÏËÓÈÎÒÓ
Ê‡ÏˆÓ Ô˘ ‹Úı·Ó ·fi Ù· ÔÚÂÈÓ¿ Ù˘ ÎÂÓÙÚÈ΋˜ ∂ÏÏ¿‰·˜
Î·È ÙËÓ ◊ÂÈÚÔ, ÌÂÙ·Ó·ÛÙÂ‡Ô˘Ó ÛÙ· ÓËÛÈ¿ ÙÔ˘ ∞ÈÁ·›Ô˘
Î·È ÛÙ· ·Ú¿ÏÈ· Ù˘ ªÈÎÚ¿˜ ∞Û›·˜. ™ÙËÓ ËÂÈÚˆÙÈ΋
∂ÏÏ¿‰·, ÔÈ ∞¯·ÈÔ› ÂÚÈÔÚ›˙ÔÓÙ·È ÛÙËÓ ∞ÙÙÈ΋ Î·È ÙËÓ
∂‡‚ÔÈ· Î·È ıÂÌÂÏÈÒÓÔ˘Ó ÙÔ Ó¤Ô ÔÏÈÙÈÎfi Û‡ÛÙËÌ· ÙˆÓ
fiψÓ-ÎÚ·ÙÒÓ.
OÈ ·Ú·ÛÙ¿ÛÂȘ ÏÔ›ˆÓ Ô˘ ¤¯Ô˘Ì ·fi Ù· Ù¤ÏË ·˘Ù‹˜
Ù˘ ÂÚÈfi‰Ô˘ Â›Ó·È ÔÏ˘ÏËı›˜. ªÂÁ·ÏÒÓÂÈ ÙÔ ÂÎÙfiÈ-
ÛÌ· ÙˆÓ Î·Ú·‚ÈÒÓ, fiˆ˜ ÌÔÚԇ̠ӷ ÎÚ›ÓÔ˘Ì ·fi
ÙÔÓ fiÏÔ Î·È ·˘Í·ÓfiÌÂÓÔ ·ÚÈıÌfi ÙˆÓ ÎˆËÏ·ÙÒÓ. ∆fiÙÂ
ÂÌÊ·Ó›˙ÂÙ·È Î·È ¤Ó· ÛËÌ·ÓÙÈÎfi ÔÏÂÌÈÎfi ÏÔ›Ô, ‹ ÔÏ˘‹-
Ú˘, Ë ÂͤÏÈÍË Ù˘ ÔÔ›·˜ ÎÔÚ˘ÊÒÓÂÙ·È Î·Ù¿ Ù· ÎÏ·ÛÈο
¯ÚfiÓÈ· Ì ÙËÓ ÙÂÏÂÈÔÔ›ËÛË Ù˘ ·ıËÓ·˚΋˜ ÙÚÈ‹ÚÔ˘˜,
ÂÓfi˜ ¢¤ÏÈÎÙÔ˘ Έ‹Ï·ÙÔ˘ Ó·˘ËÁ‹Ì·ÙÔ˜ Ô˘ Ì·˜
¯¿ÚÈÛ ÔÏϤ˜ ӛΘ, Ì ÎÔÚ˘Ê·›· ÛÙÈÁÌ‹ ÙË Ó·˘Ì·¯›·
ÛÙ· ÛÙÂÓ¿ Ù˘ ™·Ï·Ì›Ó·˜, Ô˘ ÂÈÛÊÚ¿ÁÈÛ ÙËÓ ÂÏÏËÓÈ-
΋ ΢ÚÈ·Ú¯›· ÛÙȘ ı¿Ï·ÛÛ˜ ·fi Ù· ÛÙÂÓ¿ Ù˘ ªÂÛÛ‹-
Ó˘ Ù˘ ™ÈÎÂÏ›·˜ ̤¯ÚÈ Ù· ªÈÎÚ·ÛÈ·ÙÈο ·Ú¿ÏÈ·.
∫·Ù¿ Ù· ÎÏ·ÛÈο Î·È ÂÏÏËÓÈÛÙÈο ¯ÚfiÓÈ· ÙÔ ÏÔ›Ô ‰ÂÓ
·ÂÈÎÔÓ›˙ÂÙ·È ÌfiÓÔ Û ·Ú·ÛÙ¿ÛÂȘ ·ÁÁ›ˆÓ ·ÏÏ¿ Á›ÓÂ-
Ù·È Û˘ÓËıÈṲ̂ÓÔ ı¤Ì· Û ·Ó¿ÁÏ˘Ê· Î·È ÔÏfiÁÏ˘Ê· ¤ÚÁ·.
Œ¯Ô˘Ì Â›Û˘ ˆÚ·Èfiٷ٘ ·ÂÈÎÔÓ›ÛÂȘ ÏÔ›ˆÓ Û ·ÎÈ-
‰ÔÁÚ·Ê‹Ì·Ù· Ô˘ ‰È·ÛÒıËηÓ. ∆· ÏÔ›· fiÏÔ Î·È ÌÂÁ·-
ÏÒÓÔ˘Ó, ÙÂÏÂÈÔÔÈÔ‡ÓÙ·È ÔÈ Ó·˘ËÁÈΤ˜ ÙÔ˘˜ ÁÚ·Ì̤˜
Î·È Ô ÂÍÔÏÈÛÌfi˜. ∆· ı·Ï¿ÛÛÈ· Ù·Í›‰È· ÙˆÓ ∂ÏÏ‹ÓˆÓ
Á›ÓÔÓÙ·È fiÏÔ Î·È ÈÔ ÔÚÁ·ÓˆÌ¤Ó·.
∆· Ù·Í›‰È· Ù· ÂÍÂÚ¢ÓËÙÈο, Ù· Ù·Í›‰È· ÂÚÈ¤ÙÂÈ·˜ ·ÓÙÈ-
ηı›ÛÙ·ÓÙ·È ·fi ÙËÓ ÔÚÁ¿ÓˆÛË ÙˆÓ ı·Ï¿ÛÛÈˆÓ ‰ÚfïÓ
Î·È Ë ªÂÛfiÁÂÈÔ˜ Ì ÙȘ ÂÏÏËÓÈΤ˜ ·ÔÈ˘ ·fi ÙË ª·Û-
Û·Ï›· ̤¯ÚÈ ÙË ª·‡ÚË £¿Ï·ÛÛ· Î·È ÙË ™˘Ú›· Á›ÓÂÙ·È
ÌÈ· ·¤Ú·ÓÙË ÂÏÏËÓÈ΋ ı¿Ï·ÛÛ·.
∞ÏÏ¿ Î·È ÛÙÔ˘˜ ·ÈÒÓ˜ Ô˘ ı· ·ÎÔÏÔ˘ı‹ÛÔ˘Ó, fiÙ·Ó Ë
΢ÚÈ·Ú¯›· ÙÔ˘ ÎfiÛÌÔ˘ ÙÔ˘ ªÂÁ¿ÏÔ˘ ∞ÏÂÍ¿Ó‰ÚÔ˘ ηÈ
ÙˆÓ ¢È·‰fi¯ˆÓ ÙÔ˘ ÂÚÓ¿ ÛÙÔ˘˜ ƒˆÌ·›Ô˘˜, Ô ŒÏÏËÓ·˜
ı· Û˘Ó¯›ÛÂÈ Ó· ·ÎÔ˘Ì¿ ¿Óˆ ÛÙË ı¿Ï·ÛÛ· Î·È Ë
Ù¤¯ÓË ÙÔ˘ ηڷ‚ÔÌ·Ú·ÁÎÔ‡ Î·È ÙÔ˘ Ó·˘Ù›ÏÔ˘ ‰ÂÓ ı·
Û‚‹ÛÂÈ.
∆Ô fiÙÈ Û‹ÌÂÚ· Ô ÂÏÏËÓÈÎfi˜ ÂÌÔÚÈÎfi˜ ÛÙfiÏÔ˜ ¤¯ÂÈ
·ÁÎÔÛÌ›ˆ˜ ÙËÓ ÚÒÙË ı¤ÛË ‰ÂÓ Â›Ó·È ¤Ó· Ê·ÈÓfiÌÂÓÔ
Í·ÊÓÈÎfi Ô˘ ÂÍËÁÂ›Ù·È ÌfiÓÔ Ì ÙÔ ÂȯÂÈÚËÌ·ÙÈÎfi ‰·ÈÌfi-
ÓÈÔ ÙÔ˘ ŒÏÏËÓ· ηڷ‚Ô·ÚË Î·È ÂÊÔÏÈÛÙ‹. ∂›Ó·È ÙÔ
·ÔÙ¤ÏÂÛÌ· Ì›·˜ Ì·ÎÚfiÙ·Ù˘ ‰È·‰Èηۛ·˜, ÌÈ·˜ ¿ÚÚË-
ÎÙ˘ ·Ï˘Û›‰·˜ ¯ÈÏÈÂÙÈÒÓ Ô˘ Ì·˜ ¿ÂÈ ÛÙ· ‚¿ıË ÙˆÓ
·ÈÒÓˆÓ Î·È ÍÂΛÓËÛ ÛÙÔ ∞ÈÁ·›Ô. ÃÚˆÛÙ¿Ì ٷ ̤ÁÈÛÙ·
ÛÙËÓ Ù¤¯ÓË ÙÔ˘ ŒÏÏËÓ· ηڷ‚ÔÌ·Ú·ÁÎÔ‡ Î·È ÙÔ˘ ŒÏÏË-
Ó· Ó·˘ÙÈÎÔ‡ Ô˘ ‰ËÌÈÔ‡ÚÁËÛ·Ó Ù· ͇ÏÈÓ· Ù›¯Ë ÁÈ· Ó·
Ì·˜ ÚÔÛٷهÛÔ˘Ó, ÂÓÒ Î·ı¤Ï΢·Ó ÁÔÚÁÔÙ¿Íȉ· ηڿ-
‚È· Î·È Ù· Ù·Í›‰Â˘·Ó ÌÂٷʤÚÔÓÙ·˜ Ù· ·Á·ı¿ ÙÔ˘ ÂÏÏË-
ÓÈÎÔ‡ ÔÏÈÙÈÛÌÔ‡ ÛÙ· ¤Ú·Ù· ÙÔ˘ ÁÓˆÛÙÔ‡ ÎfiÛÌÔ˘.
20
period, however, significant redistributions took place in
the Aegean and shaped the conditions for the ensuing
development of the Hellenic culture of the Archaic and
Classical periods. The Mycenaeans, under the pressure
from the Dorians and other Hellenic tribes that came
from the mountainous regions of Central Hellas and
Epirus, migrated to the islands of the Aegean and the
coasts of Asia Minor. On the Hellenic mainland, the
Achaeans were limited to Attica and Euboea and laid the
foundations of the new political system of city-states.
The representations of ships we have, from the end of
this period, are many in number. From the ever
increasing number of oarsmen, we can perceive that the
ships’ displacement grew larger. It was then, that a
significant warship made its appearance. The ship with
many rows of oars the development of which peaked
during the classical years with the perfection of the
athenian trireme, a highly manoeuvrable, oar-powered,
masterpiece of shipbuilding, which gave us many
victories, the crowning moment of which, was the naval
battle at the straits of Salamina that corroborated the
Hellenic supremacy at sea from the straits of Messina in
Sicily, to the coasts of Asia Minor.
During the Classical and Hellenistic years, the ship not
only appears on pottery representations but also
becomes an accustomed theme in relief and full
sculptured works. We also have lovely portrayals of ships
in stone carvings that have been preserved. The ships
are growing bigger and their shipbuilding lines and
equipment are being perfected. The sea voyages of the
Hellenic sea-farers are becoming more organized.
The voyages for exploration and adventure are replaced
by the organization of the sea routes and the
Mediterranean, with the Hellenic colonies from Marseilles
to the Black Sea and Syria, becomes a vast Hellenic sea.
Even in the centuries that will follow, when world
domination passed from Alexander the Great and his
heirs to the Romans, the Hellene still continues to rely
upon the sea and the mastery of ships-carpentry and
seamanship has not faded.
The fact that today, the Hellenic merchant fleet, holds the
first place worldwide, is not a sudden phenomenon that
can be explained only by the business acumen of the
Hellene ship-owner. It is the result of a lengthy process,
an unbroken chain of millenniums that take us back to
the dawn of history, starting in the Aegean. We owe
greatly to the mastery of the Hellene ship-carpenter and
the Hellene mariner who created the wooden walls to
protect us, while they were launching fast ships that
carried the goods of Hellenic civilization to the
boundaries of the known world.
 O Ó·˘ÙÈÎfi˜ ‚›Ô˜ ÛÙËÓ ·Ú¯·›· EÏÏ¿‰·.
OÈ ÏËÚÔÊÔڛ˜ Ì·˜ Á‡Úˆ ·’ ÙËÓ ÔÚÁ¿ÓˆÛË Î·È ÙÔÓ
ÙÚfiÔ ˙ˆ‹˜ ¿Óˆ ÛÙ’ ·Ú¯·›· ηڿ‚È· Â›Ó·È ·ÚÎÂÙ¿
ÂÚÈÔÚÈṲ̂Ó˜. ∂›Ó·È fiϘ ·ÔÛ·ÛÌ·ÙÈΤ˜ Î·È Û˘¯Ó¿
·ÌÊ›‚ÔϘ. ¶ÂÚÈÛÛfiÙÂÚ˜ ¤¯Ô˘Ì ÁÈ· Ù· ÔÏÂÌÈο ÏÔ›·
Î·È ÏÈÁfiÙÂÚ˜ ÁÈ· Ù· ÂÌÔÚÈο. ¶¿ÓÙ· Ô ¿ÓıÚˆÔ˜ Ù˘
ÛÙÂÚÈ¿˜ ÂÓ˘ˆÛÈ¿˙ÂÙ·È ·' ÙË ÌÂÁ·ÏÔÚ¤ÂÈ· ÙÔ˘ ÔÏÂ-
ÌÈÎÔ‡ ÎÈ ·Ê‹ÓÂÈ Ù· Ù·ÂÈÓ¿ ÊÔÚÙËÁ¿ Ó· ÂÚÓÔ‡Ó ··Ú·-
Ù‹ÚËÙ·Ø ÎÈ fiÛÔÈ ÁÚ¿ÊÔ˘Ó Â›Ó·È ¿ÓıÚˆÔÈ Ù˘ ÛÙÂÚÈ¿˜.
¶·Ú' fiÏ· ·˘Ù¿ ı· ÚÔÛ·ı‹ÛÔ˘Ì ӷ ‰Ô‡Ì ˆ˜ ˙Ô‡-
Û·Ó ¿Óˆ ÛÙ· ηڿ‚È· ÙÔ˘˜ ÔÈ ·Ú¯·›ÔÈ Ì·˜ Ó·˘ÙÈÎÔ›
fiˆ˜ ‚Á·›ÓÂÈ Ì¤Û· ·fi Ù· ·Ú¯·›· ΛÌÂÓ·.
∞Ú¯ËÁfi˜ ÛÙËÓ ÈÂÚ·Ú¯›· ÙÔ˘ ηڷ‚ÈÔ‡ ‹Ù·Ó Ô ÏÔÈÔÎÙ‹-
Ù˘ ‹ Ô Ó·˘ÏˆÙ‹˜ ÙÔ˘ Ô˘ Û˘Ó‹ıˆ˜ Ù·Í›‰Â˘Â Ì·˙› ÙÔ˘,
Û˘Ó‹ıÂÈ· Ô˘ ÎÚ¿ÙËÛ ˆ˜ ÙÔÓ ÂÚ·Ṳ̂ÓÔ Û¯Â‰fiÓ
·ÈÒÓ·. O ∞ÚÙÂÌ›‰ˆÚÔ˜ Ô ¢·Ï‰È·Ófi˜ Ô˘ ¤˙ËÛ ÙÔ 2Ô
Ì.Ã. ·ÈÒÓ· ÛÙ· «OÓÂÈÚÔÎÚÈÙÈο» ÙÔ˘ (1.35) Ì·˜ ‰›ÓÂÈ ÌÈ·
ηı·Ú‹ ÂÈÎfiÓ· Ù˘ Ù¿Í˘ Ô˘ ÂÈÎÚ·ÙÔ‡Û ÛÙÔ Î·Ú¿‚È:
«¿Ú¯ÂÈ ‰Â ÂÚÈÓ¤Ô˘ ÌÂÓ ÙÔ›¯·Ú¯Ô˜, ÙÔȯ¿Ú¯Ô˘ ‰Â Ô Úˆ-
Ú‡˜, ÚˆÚ¤ˆ˜ ‰Â Ô Î˘‚ÂÚÓ‹Ù˘, ΢‚ÂÚÓ‹ÙÔ˘ ‰Â Ô Ó·‡-
ÎÏËÚÔ˜», ‰ËÏ·‰‹ Ô ÙÔ›¯·Ú¯Ô˜ Â›Ó·È ¿Óˆ ·fi ÙÔÓ Âfi-
ÙË ÙÔ˘ ÊÔÚÙ›Ô˘, Ô ÚˆÚ¤·˜ ¿Óˆ ·fi ÙÔÓ ÙÔ›¯·Ú¯Ô, Ô
΢‚ÂÚÓ‹Ù˘ ¿Óˆ ·fi ÙÔÓ ÚˆÚ¤·, Ô ÏÔÈÔÎÙ‹Ù˘ ¿Óˆ
·fi ÙÔÓ Î˘‚ÂÚÓ‹ÙË.
O Ó·‡ÎÏËÚÔ˜ ‹Ù·Ó Ô ¿ÓıÚˆÔ˜ Ô˘ ›¯Â ÙË ¯Ú‹ÛË ÙÔ˘
ÏÔ›Ô˘ Î·È Û˘ÓÂÒ˜ ÙË ‰˘Ó·ÙfiÙËÙ· Ó· ÙÔ ÂÎÌÂÙ·ÏχÂ-
Ù·È, ›ÙÂ Û·Ó ÏÔÈÔÎÙ‹Ù˘ ›ÙÂ Û·Ó ÂÓÔÈÎÈ·ÛÙ‹˜ ÙÔ˘. ∞Ó
‹Ù·Ó ȉÈÔÎÙ‹Ù˘ ÔÓÔÌ·˙fiÙ·Ó Î·È «Î‡ÚÈÔ˜» ‹ «‰ÂÛfiÙ˘».
O ∞ÚÙÂÌ›‰ˆÚÔ˜ ·Ó·Ê¤ÚÂÈ ¯·Ú·ÎÙËÚÈÛÙÈο: «ÈÛÙfi˜ ‰Â Ù˘
ÓÂÒ˜ ÙÔÓ Î‡ÚÈÔÓ ÛËÌ·›ÓÂÈ, ·ÓÙÈÚfiÛˆÔÓ ‰Â ÙÔÓ ÚˆÚ¤·
Î·È Ô ¯ËÓ›ÛÎÔ˜ ÙÔÓ Î˘‚ÂÚÓ‹ÙËÓ, Ù· ‰Â fiÏ· ÙÔ˘˜ Ó·‡Ù·˜
Î·È ÙÔ Î¤Ú·˜ ÙÔÓ ÙÔ›¯·Ú¯ÔÓ», ‰ËÏ·‰‹ ÛÙ· fiÓÂÈÚ· ÙÔ
¿ÏÌÔ˘ÚÔ ÙÔ˘ ηڷ‚ÈÔ‡ ÛËÌ·›ÓÂÈ ÙÔÓ ÏÔÈÔÎÙ‹ÙË, Ë
ÊÈÁÔ‡Ú· Ù˘ ÏÒÚ˘ ÙÔÓ ÚˆÚ¤·, Ë ÊÈÁÔ‡Ú· Ù˘ Ú‡-
Ì˘ (¯ËÓ›ÛÎÔ˜) ÛËÌ·›ÓÂÈ ÙÔÓ Î·ÂÙ¿ÓÈÔ, Ù· Í¿ÚÙÈ· ÙÔ˘˜
Ó·‡Ù˜ Î·È Ë ÛÙ·‡ÚˆÛË ÙÔÓ ÙÔ›¯·Ú¯Ô. ™˘¯Ó¿ ˘‹Ú¯·Ó
ÔÏÏÔ› Û˘ÌÏÔÈÔÎً٘, ÔÈ Û˘Ó·‡ÎÏËÚÔÈ fiˆ˜ ÔÓÔÌ¿˙Ô-
ÓÙ·Ó. ™˘Ó‹ıˆ˜ Ô Ó·‡ÎÏËÚÔ˜ Ù·Í›‰Â˘Â Ì·˙› Ì ÙÔ Î·Ú¿‚È
fiÙ·Ó ·˘Ùfi ÌÂÙ¤ÊÂÚ ÊÔÚÙ›Ô ÁÈ· ÏÔÁ·ÚÈ·ÛÌfi ÙÔ˘, ·Ó fi¯È,
˘‹Ú¯Â ·ÓÙÈÚfiÛˆfi˜ ÙÔ˘ Û’ ·˘Ùfi. ™Â ÌÂÚÈο ΛÌÂÓ·
˘¿Ú¯ÂÈ Î·È Ô ÚÔÓ·‡ÎÏËÚÔ˜, Ô˘ ÚfiÎÂÈÙ·È ÁÈ· ÙÔÓ
·ÓÙÈÚfiÛˆÔ ÙÔ˘ Ó·‡ÎÏËÚÔ˘ ¿Óˆ ÛÙÔ Î·Ú¿‚È Û ÂÚ›-
ÙˆÛË Ô˘ ·˘Ùfi˜ ¤ÏÂÈÂ. «∂‡ÏÔÈ¿ ÛÔÈ, ÕÚÙÂÌÈ, Ó·˘ÎÏ‹-
ÚÔ˘ ∂˘Ù‡¯Ô˘ ª˘ÙÈÏËÓ·›Ô˘, ÚÔÓ·˘ÎÏ‹ÚÔ˘ ∆˘¯ÈÎÔ‡ ηÈ
ηÂÙ¿ÓÈÔ˘ πÔ˘ÎÔ‡Ó‰·.», ·Ó·Ê¤ÚÂÈ ¤Ó· Â›ÁÚ·ÌÌ·.
∫·ÌÈ¿ ÊÔÚ¿ Ô ›‰ÈÔ˜ Ô ÏÔÈÔÎÙ‹Ù˘ ‹Ù·Ó Î·È Î·ÂÙ¿ÓÈÔ˜
ÙÔ˘ ÛοÊÔ˘˜ ÙÔ˘ ÁÈ· ÙËÓ ÂÚ›ÙˆÛË ·˘Ù‹ ˘‹Ú¯Â Ô
fiÚÔ˜ Ó·˘ÎÏËÚÔ΢‚ÂÚÓ‹Ù˘, Ô˘ ÙÔÓ ··ÓÙ¿ÂÈ Û˘¯Ó¿
ηӤӷ˜ Û ÔÏÏ¿ ¤ÁÁÚ·Ê· ÙÔ˘ 4Ô˘ ΢ڛˆ˜ Ì.Ã. ·ÈÒÓ·
Û ηڿ‚È· Ô˘ ÎÔ˘‚·ÏÔ‡Û·Ó Ù· ÛÈÙ¿ÚÈ· ·’ ÙËÓ ∞›Á˘-
ÙÔ ÛÙË ƒÒÌË. ™˘Ó‹ıˆ˜ fï˜ ÛÙ· ÌÂÁ·Ï‡ÙÂÚ· ηڿ‚È·
ÚÔÛÏ¿Ì‚·Ó οÔÈÔÓ Â·ÁÁÂÏÌ·Ù›· ηÂÙ¿ÓÈÔ Ô˘
·Ó·Ï¿Ì‚·Ó ÙËÓ Â˘ı‡ÓË ÁÈ· ÙËÓ Î˘‚¤ÚÓËÛË Î·È ÙÔ Ù·Í›-
‰ÂÌ· ÙÔ˘ ηڷ‚ÈÔ‡.
∆Ô ·ÓÒÙÂÚÔ Ù¯ÓÈÎfi ÚÔÛˆÈÎfi ÛÙËÓ ÈÂÚ·Ú¯›· ÙÔ˘ ηڷ-
‚ÈÔ‡ ‹Ù·Ó Ô Î˘‚ÂÚÓ‹Ù˘, Ô Î·ÂÙ¿ÓÈÔ˜. ◊Ù·Ó ˘‡ı˘ÓÔ˜
ÁÈ· ÙËÓ ÚÔÂÙÔÈÌ·Û›· ÙÔ˘ ηڷ‚ÈÔ‡ ÁÈ· Ù·Í›‰È Î·È Ó·˘ÙÔ-
ÏÔÁÔ‡Û ÙÔ ϋڈ̷. ºÚfiÓÙÈ˙ ӷ Â›Ó·È ÙÔ Î·Ú¿‚È ·ÍÈfi-
ÏÔÔ Î·È Î˘Ú›ˆ˜ ÁÈ· ÙËÓ Î·Ï‹ ÂÎÌÂÙ¿ÏÏÂ˘Û‹ ÙÔ˘. ™Ù·
21
The Maritime life in Ancient Greece.
The information we have regarding the organization and
the manner of living on board ancient vessels is quite
limited. It all comes from written excerpts and they are
often doubtful. We have more information about
warships and less about merchant vessels. Countrymen
are always impressed by magnificence of warships,
letting the humble and modest cargo ships pass
unobserved. All those who write are people who live on
shore. In spite of the above we will try to see how our
ancient seamen used to live on board their ships, as can
be seen from ancient texts.
The chief in the hierarchy of the ship was the ship-owner,
or its charterer, who usually traveled on it, a habit which
prevailed until nearly the last century. Artemidoros
Daldianos, who lived in the 2nd century A.D., in his
“Oneirocritics” (1.35), gives us a clear picture of the
order prevailing on the ship: the ticharchos stands above
the cargo surervisor, the prorefs above the ticharchos,
the captain superior to the prorefs and the shipowner
superior to the captain.
The boatswain was the man who use to run the ship and,
therefore, the possibility of exploiting it, either as its
shipowner or its lessee. If he was the owner, he was also
called Master or Ruler. Artemidoros characteristically
writes: “that (in dreams)…the mast of the ship represents
the shipowner, the figure on the prow the prorefs, the
figure on the stern the captain, the rigging the sailors
and the crosstree means the ticharchos”. There were
often several part-shipowners or co-boatswains, as they
were called. The boatswain usually traveled with the ship
whenever it was carrying cargo for his account.
Otherwise he had his representative on board. Some
texts also mention the pronafkliros, who is the
representative of the boatswain on board the ship,
whenever the later is absent. An old epigram states:
“Have a good journey Artemis, shipowner Eftichis from
Mytilene, the pronafkliros Tychikos and the captain
Ioukoundas”.
Sometimes the shipowner himself was also the captain
of the ship. In such cases the term nafkliro-kyvernitis was
used, which is often referred to in several documents
mainly of the 4th century A.D. for ships carrying grains
from Egypt to Rome. However, in larger vessels he used
to engage a professional captain who took over the
responsibility for the command and the voyage of the
ship.
The top technical person in the hierarchy of the ship was
the master or captain. He was responsible for the
preparation of the ship for the voyage and recruited its
crew. He used to care that the ship was well prepared for
the voyage, and he also mainly looked after its good and
ÌÈÎÚ¿ ÛοÊË Ù˘ ·ÎÙÔÏÔ˝·˜ ÊÚfiÓÙÈ˙ ·ÎfiÌË Î·È ÁÈ· ÙÔ
Ù·Í›‰ÂÌ· ÙÔ˘ ηڷ‚ÈÔ‡, ȉȷ›ÙÂÚ· Û·Ó ·˘Ùfi Ì·ÈÓfi‚Á·È-
Ó ÛÙÔ ÏÈÌ¿ÓÈ ‹ ‚ÚÈÛÎfiÙ·Ó Û ‰‡ÛÎÔÏ· ÂÚ¿ÛÌ·Ù·. ™ÙËÓ
·ÓÔȯً ı¿Ï·ÛÛ· ÙÔ Î˘‚¤ÚÓËÌ· ÙÔ Â›¯Â Ô ÙÈÌÔÓȤÚ˘.
¶fiÛÔ ÛËÌ·ÓÙÈ΋ ‹Ù·Ó Ë ı¤ÛË ÙÔ˘ ΢‚ÂÚÓ‹ÙË Ê·›ÓÂÙ·È
ηı·Ú¿ Î·È ·fi ÙÔ fi,ÙÈ ÔÏÏ¿ ÔÓfiÌ·Ù· ·fi ΢‚ÂÚÓ‹Ù˜
‰È·Û‹ÌˆÓ ÏÔÈÔÎÙËÙÒÓ ÂÚÈÛÒıËηÓ.
O ΢‚ÂÚÓ‹Ù˘ ›¯Â ‰‡Ô ·ÍȈ̷ÙÈÎÔ‡˜ Ô˘ ÙÔÓ ‚ÔËıÔ‡-
Û·Ó ÛÙ· ηı‹ÎÔÓÙ¿ ÙÔ˘, ÙÔÓ ÚˆÚ¤· ÁÈ· ÙȘ ηı·Ú¿
Ó·˘ÙÈΤ˜ ‰Ô˘ÏÂȤ˜ Î·È ÙÔÓ ÙÔ›¯·Ú¯Ô ÁÈ· ÙȘ ‰ÈÔÈÎËÙÈΤ˜.
O ÚˆÚ¤·˜ ‹Ù·Ó οÙÈ Û·Ó ÙÔÓ ÛËÌÂÚÈÓfi ˘ÔÏÔ›·Ú¯Ô. O
¿ÌÂÛÔ˜ ‚ÔËıfi˜ ÙÔ˘ ΢‚ÂÚÓ‹ÙË ¿Óˆ Û ˙ËÙ‹Ì·Ù· Ó·˘ÙÈ-
Ï›·˜ ÎÈ ¤ÙÔÈÌÔ˜ ¿ÓÙ· Ó' ·Ó·Ï¿‚ÂÈ ÙËÓ Î˘‚¤ÚÓËÛË ÙÔ˘
ηڷ‚ÈÔ‡ Û·Ó Î¿ÙÈ Û˘Ó¤‚·ÈÓ ÛÙÔÓ ÚÔ˚ÛÙ¿ÌÂÓfi ÙÔ˘, ÁÈ'
·˘Ùfi Î·È Ë ÂÈÏÔÁ‹ ÙÔ˘ ÁÈÓfiÙ·Ó Ì ÚÔÛÔ¯‹.
∏ ‰ÈÔÈÎËÙÈ΋ ÏÂ˘Ú¿ ‚ÚÈÛÎfiÓÙ·Ó ÛÙ· ¯¤ÚÈ· ÙÔ˘ ÙÔȯ¿Ú-
¯Ô˘ Ô˘ Û˘Ó‰‡·˙ ÙȘ ‰Ô˘ÏÂȤ˜ ÙÔ˘ ÛËÌÂÚÈÓÔ‡ ÏÔÁÈÛÙ‹
Î·È ÙÔ˘ ÂfiÙË ÙÔ˘ ÊÔÚÙ›Ô˘. ºÚfiÓÙÈ˙ ·ÎfiÌ· Î·È ÁÈ·
ÙÔ˘˜ ÂÈ‚¿Ù˜.
™ÙÔ˘˜ ¶·Ó‰¤ÎÙ˜ (4.9.1.3.) ·Ó·Ê¤ÚÂÙ·È: «À¿Ú¯Ô˘Ó ÔÚÈ-
Ṳ̂ӷ ÚfiÛˆ· ¿Óˆ ÛÙÔ ÏÔ›Ô Ô˘ Â›Ó·È ÂÈÊÔÚÙÈṲ̂-
Ó· Ì ηı‹ÎÔÓÙ· Û˘Óԉ›·˜ Û ۯ¤ÛË Ì ÙÔ ÏÔ›Ô, fiˆ˜
ÔÈ Ó·˘Ê‡Ï·Î˜ Î·È ÔÈ ‰È·ÈÙ¿ÚÈÔÈ. ™˘ÓÂÒ˜, ·Ó οÔÈÔ˜
·' ·˘ÙÔ‡˜ ·Ú·Ï¿‚ÂÈ Î¿ÙÈ, ÓÔÌ›˙ˆ Ô ÏÔÈÔÎÙ‹Ù˘ ‹ Ô
Ó·˘ÏˆÙ‹˜ Ú¤ÂÈ Ó· Â›Ó·È ÓÔÌÈο ˘‡ı˘ÓÔ˜ fiˆ˜ ηÈ
·˘Ùfi˜ Ô ›‰ÈÔ˜, Ô˘ ÙÔ˘ ·Ó¿ıÂÛ ٤ÙÔÈ· ηı‹ÎÔÓÙ·, ÂÈ-
ÙÚ¤ÔÓÙ·˜ ÙË Ê‡Ï·ÍË ÙˆÓ ·Á·ıÒÓ Û' ·˘ÙÔ‡˜». ¢È·ÈÙ¿-
ÚÈÔ˜ ÛËÌ·›ÓÂÈ Ì¿ÏÏÔÓ ÙÚÔÊÔ‰fiÙ˘, ˆÛÙfiÛÔ ·' ÙÔ
·Ú·¿Óˆ ·fiÛ·ÛÌ· Ê·›ÓÂÙ·È fiÙÈ Â›¯·Ó Û¯¤ÛË Ù·
ηı‹ÎÔÓÙ¿ ÙÔ˘, ÂÚÈÛÛfiÙÂÚÔ Ì ÙÔ ÊÔÚÙ›Ô ·Ú¿ Ì ÙËÓ
ÙÚÔÊÔ‰ÔÛ›· ÙÔ˘ ÏÔ›Ô˘. µÔËıÔ› ÙÔȯ¿Ú¯Ô˘ ‹Ù·Ó ÔÈ Ó·˘-
ÛÙfiÏÔÈ Ô˘ fiˆ˜ Ê·›ÓÂÙ·È ·ÔÙÂÏÔ‡Û·Ó Ì¤ÚÔ˜ ÙÔ˘ ÏË-
ÚÒÌ·ÙÔ˜.
∞’ ÙËÓ ÏÂ˘Ú¿ ÙÒÚ· ÙÔ˘ ÏËÚÒÌ·ÙÔ˜ ˘‹Ú¯·Ó ÔÈ ÙÈÌÔ-
ÓȤÚˉ˜. ∆· ÌÂÁ¿Ï· ηڿ‚È· ›¯·Ó ÔÏÏÔ‡˜ Ô˘ ÎÚ·-
ÙÔ‡Û·Ó ‚¿Ú‰È· ÛÙÔ ÙÈÌfiÓÈ. O ºÈÏfiÛÙÚ·ÙÔ˜ (3.35) ·Ó·Ê¤-
ÚÂÈ: «¶ÔÏÏÔ› ÌÂÓ Î˘‚ÂÚÓ‹Ù·È Ù˘ ÓÂÒ˜ Ù·‡Ù˘ ˘fi Ùˆ
ÚÂÛ‚˘Ù¿Ùˆ ÙÂ Î·È ÛÔʈٿو Ï¤Ô˘ÛÈ», ‰ËÏ·‰‹, «ÔÏ-
ÏÔ› ‹Ù·Ó ÔÈ ÙÈÌÔÓȤÚˉ˜ ÙÔ˘ ηڷ‚ÈÔ‡ ·˘ÙÔ‡ ÎÈ ‹Ù·Ó
οو ·' ÙȘ ‰È·Ù·Á¤˜ ÙÔ˘ ÈÔ ·ÏÈÔ‡ Î·È ÙÔ˘ ÈÔ
ÛÔÊÔ‡». ÕÏÏË ÂȉÈÎfiÙËÙ· ‹Ù·Ó Ô Ó·˘ËÁfi˜, Ô Ì·Ú·ÁÎfi˜
‰ËÏ·‰‹, ÙÔ˘ ηڷ‚ÈÔ‡. O §Ô˘ÎÈ·Ófi˜ («¶ÂÚ› ¶ÏÔ›Ô˘»,5)
·Ó·Ê¤ÚÂÈ: «Â›ÎÔÛÈ Î·È ÂηÙfiÓ ‹¯ÂˆÓ ¤ÏÂÁ ÙÔ Ì‹ÎÔ˜ Ô
Ó·˘ËÁfi˜». O Ó·˘Ê‡Ï·Î·˜ Ô˘ ·Ó·Ê¤Ú·Ì ·Ú·¿Óˆ,
Î·È Ù¤ÏÔ˜ ÔÈ ÎˆËÏ¿Ù˜ ÎÈ ÂΛÓÔÈ Ô˘ ¯ÂÈÚ›˙ÔÓÙ·Ó Ù·
·ÓÈ¿. ™˘¯Ófi ‹Ù·Ó Î·È ÙÔ Ú›ÍÈÌÔ ÙÔ˘ ηڷ‚ÈÔ‡ ÛÙË
ı¿Ï·ÛÛ· Î·È ÙÔ ÙÚ¿‚ËÁÌ¿ ÙÔ˘ ÛÙË ÛÙÂÚÈ¿. ◊Ù·Ó ÎÈ
·˘Ù¤˜ ‰Ô˘ÏÂȤ˜ ÙˆÓ Ó·˘ÙÒÓ. ∏ ÛÎÏËÚ‹ ÙÔ˘˜ fï˜ ˙ˆ‹
ÛÙ·Ì·ÙÔ‡Û ÁÈ· Ï›ÁÔ Û·Ó ¤ÊÙ·Ó·Ó ÛÙÔ ÏÈÌ¿ÓÈ ÎÈ ÔÈ Ó·‡-
Ù˜ ¤·ÈÚÓ·Ó ÙË ‰È·Ù·Á‹ ÙÔ˘ ηÂÙ¿ÓÈÔ˘ «...‰¤ÛÙ ٷ
ÎÔ˘È¿ ÛÙÔ˘˜ ¿ÁÎÔ˘˜ Î·È ‚Á‹Ù ¤Íˆ» (O‰‡Û. £ 37).
Ÿˆ˜ Ê·›ÓÂÙ·È ·fi Ù· ‰È¿ÊÔÚ· ·Ó¿ÁÏ˘Ê· ÔÈ Ó·‡Ù˜
¿Óˆ ÛÙÔ Î·Ú¿‚È ‹Ù·Ó Á˘ÌÓÔ›. O ÙÈÌÔÓȤÚ˘ ÎÈ ÔÈ ·ÍȈ-
Ì·ÙÈÎÔ› ÊÔÚÔ‡Û·Ó Ì·ÎÚÔ‡˜ ¯ÈÙÒÓ˜. ŸÙ·Ó ¤‚Á·ÈÓ·Ó ÛÙË
ÛÙÂÚÈ¿ ÊÔÚÔ‡Û·Ó ¯ÈÙÒÓ· ÎÈ ÔÈ Ó·‡Ù˜, fï˜ ¯ˆÚ›˜
Û·ÓÙ¿ÏÈ·, ‹Ù·Ó ͢fiÏËÙÔÈ fiˆ˜ ¿Óˆ ÛÙÔ Î·Ú¿‚È. O
¢›ˆÓ Ô ÃÚ˘ÛfiÛÙÔÌÔ˜ ϤÂÈ: «... ÁÈ·Ù› ·Ó ηÌÈ¿ ÊÔÚ¿ ÔÈ
22
proper exploitation. In the case of small vessels, for
coastal navigation, he further attended to the voyage of
the vessel especially when it came in or out of harbor or
in any difficult situation. On the open sea, the command
of the ship was in the hands of the Steersman. How
important the position of the captain was, can be clearly
seen from the fact that several names of captains from
famous shipowners have been preserved.
The captain had two officers that helped him in the
performance of his duties, the prorefs for purely maritime
business, and the ticharchos for administrative work. The
prorefs was like the present day first mate. He was the
immediate assistant of the captain in maritime matters
and always ready to take over command of the vessel
whenever something happened to his chief. This is why
he was selected and chosen with great care.
Administration was in the hands of the ticharchos who
combined the duties of both today's purser and cargo
supervisor. He also looked after the passengers.
In Pandects (4.9.1.3.) it is mentioned that: “There are
some persons on board the ship who are entrusted with
escort duties in connection with the vessel, such as the
naf-filakes and the dietarioi. Consequently, if somebody
took delivery of something from them, then I think that
the shipowner, or the charterer should be legally
responsible, like the person himself who entrusted such
duties to him and entrusted the guarding of personal
property to such persons”. The word dietarios probably
means caterer (victualler) of the ship. However, from the
foregoing excerpt, it appears that his duties were more
closely connected with the cargo than with the catering
(victual ling) of the ship. The assistants of the ticharchos
were the nafstoli who, as it appears, were members of
the crew.
With regard to the crew, there was the steersman
(helmsman). Large vessels had several steersmen, who
stood watch over the steering devices. Filostratos (3.35)
mentions: “…there were several steersmen on board that
ship, and they were under the command of the eldest
and most learned and experienced one.” Another
specialist was the shipbuilder, the carpenter of the ship.
Loukianos (in his work “About ships” 5) mentions: “one
hundred and twenty cubits said the shipbuilder, should
be the length.” The naffilakas mentioned above and
finally the rowers and those who handled and
manoeuvered the sails. Frequently there was also the
question of launching the ship into the sea and hauling it
ashore. These were also duties of the sailors. However,
their hard life was suspended for a short time, whenever,
they arrived at a port and the sailors received the order
from the captain “…fix the oars well on the seats and get
out” (Odys. 9.37).
As can be seen from various reliefs, the sailors on board
the ship were naked. The steersman and the officers
wore long tunics. When going ashore, the sailors also
wore tunic but without sandals and they were barefoot,
as on board the ship. Dion Chrysostomos says:
“…because if, sometimes people happen to see
¿ÓıÚˆÔÈ ‰Ô‡Ó ηӤӷ Ó· ÊÔÚ¿ÂÈ ¯ÈÙÒÓ· ϤÓ ̋ˆ˜
Ù˘¯fiÓ ÎÈ Â›Ó·È Ó·‡Ù˘» (§fiÁÔÈ 72,1).
∆Ô ÌÂÁ·Ï‡ÙÂÚÔ Úfi‚ÏËÌ· ¿Óˆ ÛÙ· ÏÔ›· ‹Ù·Ó Ë
ÙÚÔÊ‹ Î·È ÙÔ ÓÂÚfi. ™Ù' ·ÎÙÔÏÔ˚ο Ù·Í›‰È· ÙÔ Ú¿ÁÌ·
‰ÂÓ ·ÚÔ˘Û›·˙ ‰˘ÛÎÔÏ›·. O ·Ú¯·›Ô˜ Ó·˘ÙÈÎfi˜ Û·Ó
Ó‡¯ÙˆÓ ÎÔ›Ù·Á ӷ ‚ÚÂÈ ÌÈ· ·¿ÓÂÌË ·ÎÙ‹ Ó· ÙÚ·‚‹ÍÂÈ
¤Íˆ ÙÔ ÛοÊÔ˜ ÙÔ˘ Î·È Ó· „¿ÍÂÈ ÁÈ· ÓÂÚfi Î·È Ê·ÁËÙfi ÎÈ
·ÎfiÌ· Ó· ͤÚÂÈ ÙÔ ¿ÏÏÔ ÚˆÈÓfi ·fi Ô˘ ÍÂÎÈÓ¿ÂÈ. ™·Ó
Í·ÓÔÈÁfiÙ·Ó fï˜ ÛÙÔ ¤Ï·ÁÔ˜, ÎÔÓÙ¿ Û' ¿ÏÏ· ¤ÚÂ ӷ
ÓÔÈ·ÛÙ› Î·È ÁÈ· ÙÔ Ù› ı· Ê¿ÂÈ ÙȘ ̤Ú˜ Ô˘ ı· ‚ÚÈÛÎfi-
Ù·Ó Ì·ÎÚÈ¿ ·' ÙË ÛÙÂÚÈ¿ ÎÈ Ô‡Ù ÌÔÚÔ‡Û ӷ ˘ÔÏÔÁ›-
ÛÂÈ fiÛ˜ ı· ‹Ù·Ó ·˘Ù¤˜. ∆· ÙÚfiÊÈÌ· Ô˘ ÌÔÚÔ‡Û Ó'
·ÔıË·ÛÂÈ ÛÙÔ ÏÈÁÔÛÙfi ¯ÒÚÔ Ô˘ ›¯Â ¿Óˆ ÛÙÔ
ηڿ‚È ÙÔ˘ ‹Ù·Ó ·ÔÍËڷ̤ÓÔÈ Î·ÚÔ›, ·ÛÙ¿ „¿ÚÈ·,
ÎÚ·Û› Î·È ÓÂÚfi. ∏ ∞ıËÓ¿ Ì ÙË ÌÔÚÊ‹ ÙÔ˘ ª¤ÓÙÔÚ· Û˘Ì-
‚Ô˘Ï‡ÂÈ ÙÔÓ ∆ËϤ̷¯Ô Ó· Ù·Íȉ¤„ÂÈ ÛÙËÓ ¶‡ÏÔ ÁÈ· Ó·
˙ËÙ‹ÛÂÈ ÏËÚÔÊÔڛ˜ ÁÈ· ÙÔÓ ·Ù¤Ú· ÙÔ˘ Î·È ÙÔ˘ Û˘ÓÈ-
ÛÙ¿ Ó· ÂÙÔÈÌ¿ÛÂÈ «Û ÛÙ¿ÌÓ˜ ̤۷ ÎÚ·Û› Î·È Û ÁÂÚ¿
·ÛÎÈ¿ ÏÈÁÔ‡ÚÈ ÎÚÈı·Ú¤ÓÈÔ» (O‰‡Û. µ 289 - 291) ÎÈ Ë
∫·Ï˘„Ò Û·Ó Ô O‰˘ÛÛ¤·˜ ÂÙÔÈÌ¿˙ÂÈ ÙÔ ÏÂÔ‡ÌÂÓfi ÙÔ˘,
ÙÔ˘ ‰›ÓÂÈ «¤Ó· ·ÛΛ ÁÂÌ¿ÙÔ Ì·‡ÚÔ ÎÚ·Û› ÎÈ ¿ÏÏÔ ÁÂÌ¿ÙÔ
ÓÂÚfi ÎÈ ¤Ó· ¿ÏÏÔ Ì ÙÚfiÊÈÌ·, ÎÈ ·ÎfiÌ· ÙÔ‡ '‚·Ï ̤۷
ÔÏÏ¿ ÚÔÛÊ¿ÁÈ·» (O‰‡Û. ∂ 265- 267). ∆Ô Úfi‚ÏËÌ·
Ù˘ ÙÚÔÊ‹˜ ‹Ù·Ó ¿ÓÙ· ˙ˆÙÈÎfi ÁÈ· fiÛÔ˘˜ Ù·Í›‰Â˘·Ó ÛÙË
ı¿Ï·ÛÛ· ÎÈ ‹Ù·Ó ÂÚÈÛÛfiÙÂÚÔ Ô͇ ÛÙËÓ ·Ú¯·ÈfiÙËÙ· ·'
fiÙÈ ÛÙ· ηÙÔÈÓ¿ ¯ÚfiÓÈ·, fi¯È fï˜ Ôχ ¯ÂÈÚfiÙÂÚÔ ·'
fiÙÈ ÛÙÔ˘˜ ÚÒÙÔ˘˜ ¯ÚfiÓÔ˘˜ ÙÔ˘ ·ÈÒÓ· Ì·˜. OÈ ·Ú¯·›ÔÈ
Ï·Ô› Ù˘ ªÂÛÔÁ›Ԣ, Û˘ÓËıÈṲ̂ÓÔÈ Ï›ÁÔ - Ôχ ÛÙË ¯ÔÚ-
ÙÔÊ·Á›· ÌÔÚÔ‡Û·Ó Â‡ÎÔÏ· Ó· ÂÚ¿ÛÔ˘Ó ÔÏϤ˜ ̤Ú˜
¯ˆÚ›˜ ÎÚ¤·˜ ·Ó ÎÚ›ÓÔ˘Ì ·' ÙÔ Î·ıËÌÂÚÈÓfi Û˘ÛÛ›ÙÈÔ
ÙÔ˘ ڈ̷›Ô˘ ÛÙÚ·ÙÈÒÙË, Ô˘ ÙÔ ·ÔÙÂÏÔ‡Û ¤Ó· ÂÚ›-
Ô˘ ÎÈÏfi ÛÈÙ¿Ï¢ÚÔ Î·È Î¿ÙÈ Ï›Á· ·ÎfiÌË ÙÚfiÊÈÌ·, ÔÈ Ó·˘-
ÙÈÎÔ› ÌÔÚÔ‡Û·Ó Ó· ÎÚ·ÙËıÔ‡Ó ÛÙË ˙ˆ‹ Ì' ¤Ó· ‰È·ÈÙÔÏfi-
ÁÈÔ Ô˘ ÙÔ ·ÔÙÂÏÔ‡Û·Ó Î˘Ú›ˆ˜ ‰ËÌËÙÚȷο Î·È fiÛÚÈ·,
‰ËÏ·‰‹ ÙÚÔʤ˜ Ô˘ ÌÔÚÔ‡Û·Ó Ó· ‰È·ÙËÚËıÔ‡Ó. ∆Ô
΢ÚÈfiÙÂÚÔ ÚfiÛıÂÙÔ ÛÙË ÌÂÚ›‰· ÙÔ˘ „ˆÌÈÔ‡ ‰ÂÓ ¯ˆÚ¿ÂÈ
·ÌÊÈ‚ÔÏ›· ˆ˜ ‹Ù·Ó ÙÔ ÂÏ·ÈfiÏ·‰Ô Ô˘ ÎÈ ·˘Ùfi ‰È·ÙËÚ›-
Ù·È ÂÚÈÛÛfiÙÂÚÔ ·' ÔÔÈÔ‰‹ÔÙ ¿ÏÏÔ Ï›Ô˜. ¶ÂÚÈÛÛfi-
ÙÂÚÔ Ô͇ fï˜ ‹Ù·Ó ÙÔ Úfi‚ÏËÌ· ÙÔ˘ ÓÂÚÔ‡. OÈ ¯ÔÓ-
‰Ú¤˜ ‹ÏÈÓ˜ ÛÙ¿ÌÓ˜, Ô˘ Û˘Ó‹ıˆ˜ ÁÂÌ›˙ÔÓÙ·Ó fiÙ ÌÂ
ÓÂÚfi Î·È fiÙ Ì ÎÚ·Û› ‹Ù·Ó ¯ˆÚ›˜ ·ÏÔÈÊ‹ Î·È ÌÂ
fiÚÔ˘˜, Ú¿ÁÌ· Ô˘ Â¤ÙÚÂ ·ÚÎÂÙ‹ ÂÍ¿ÙÌÈÛË ÁÈ· Ó·
ÎÚ·Ù¿ÂÈ ÙÔ ÂÚȯfiÌÂÓÔ ÎÚ‡Ô, ÙÔ ‚¿ÚÔ˜ ÙˆÓ ‰Ô¯Â›ˆÓ
·˘ÙÒÓ fï˜ ‹Ù·Ó Ôχ ÌÂÁ¿ÏÔ ÁÈ· ÂΛӷ Ù· ÛοÊË
ÒÛÙ ӷ ÂÈÙÚ¤ÂÙ·È Ë ÌÂÙ·ÊÔÚ¿ ·ÚÎÂÙÔ‡ ÓÂÚÔ‡. ∂Í
¿ÏÏÔ˘ Ù· ͇ÏÈÓ· ‚·Ú¤ÏÈ·, Ù' ·ÏÂÈÌ̤ӷ Ì ›ÛÛ· ·Ó ÎÈ
ÂÏ·ÊÚfiÙÂÚ·, ˆÛÙfiÛÔ ‰ÂÓ ÌÔÚÔ‡Û·Ó Ó· ÎÚ·Ù‹ÛÔ˘Ó ÙÔ
ÓÂÚfi fiÛÈÌÔ ÁÈ· Ôχ ηÈÚfi. ∏ ·‰˘Ó·Ì›· ÁÈ· ÙË ÌÂÙ·ÊÔ-
Ú¿ ÙÔ˘ ÓÂÚÔ‡ ‹Ù·Ó ¤Ó· ÌfiÓÈÌÔ Úfi‚ÏËÌ· ÙˆÓ Ó·˘Ù›ÏˆÓ.
∞ÎfiÌ· Ê·›ÓÂÙ·È Ó· ˘‹Ú¯·Ó ÎÈ ÂȉÈÎÔ› ÙÚÔÊÔ‰fiÙ˜ ÁÈ·
ÏÔ›·. O ŸÌËÚÔ˜ ¯·Ú·ÎÙËÚÈÛÙÈο ·Ó·Ê¤ÚÂÈ ÙÔÓ ∂‡ËÓÔ
Ô˘ Ô˘ÏÔ‡Û ÎÚ·Û› ÛÙ· ηڿ‚È· ÙˆÓ ∞¯·ÈÒÓ, ‰›ÓÔÓÙ·˜
Ì¿ÏÈÛÙ· «¯›ÏÈ· ̤ÙÚ· ÎÚ·Û›» ÛÙÔÓ ∞Á·Ì¤ÌÓÔÓ· Î·È ÙÔ
ªÂÓ¤Ï·Ô ÚÔÊ·ÓÒ˜ ÁÈ· Ó· ÂÍ·ÁÔÚ¿ÛÂÈ ÙÔ ‰Èη›ˆÌ· Ó·
Ô˘Ï¿ÂÈ ÎÚ·Û› ÛÙ· ÏËÚÒÌ·Ù·. ∏ ‰Ô˘ÏÂÈ¿ ÙÔ˘ «ÛÈ-ÙÛ¿-
ÓÙÏÂÚ» Ê·›ÓÂÙ·È ÈÔ ·ÏÈ¿ ·' fi,ÙÈ ı· ÌÔÚÔ‡ÛÂ Ó·
Ê·ÓÙ·Ûı› ηӤӷ˜.
23
somebody wearing only a tunic…, they may say that he
is perhaps a sailor” (Speeches, 72.1).
The great problem on board the ships was food and
water. In coastal navigation this was not so difficult. The
seaman of old, when night fell looked to finding a
leeward coast, whence to moor his ship, to seek water
and food and also to know, next morning, the place from
which he would steer away to sea. However, when in the
open sea he had, among other things, to attend to what
he would eat during the days when he would be away
from land and of course, he could not know how many
these days would be. The food that he could store in the
small space available on the ship was composed of
dried fruits, salted fish, wine and water. The goddess
Athena, in the form of Mentor, gives advice to
Telemachus to voyage to Pylos and ask for information
about his father, and further recommends him to prepare
“wine in jugs and barley-groats in strong skin-bags”,
(Odys. 2. 289-291). Further more when Ulysses was
preparing his ship, Calipso gave him “a skin-bag filled
with red wine, another one with water and a third one
with various foodstuffs and she also added other minor
foods to be eaten with bread” (Odys. 5. 265-267). The
problem of food was always vital for those who traveled
at sea, and it was more acute in ancient times than in
more recent ones, but not much worse than during the
first years of our century. The ancient people of the
Mediterranean Sea, who were more or less accustomed
to vegetarianism, could easily spend several days with-
out meat, if we judge from the daily mess (common
meal) of the Roman soldier, which consisted of
approximately one kilo wheat flour and a few other
foods. Seamen could keep alive with a diet composed
chiefly of cereals and legumes, i.e. foods that could be
preserved. There is no doubt that the main supplement
to the bread ration was olive oil, which can also be
preserved longer than any other fat. However, still more
acute was the problem of water. Thick earthen jugs,
which were sometimes filled with water and sometimes
with wine, had no glazing and they also had pores which
allowed sufficient evaporation in order to keep the
contents cool. However, the weight of these jugs was too
great for the vessels of that time, thereby preventing the
transportation of enough water. On the other hand,
wooden barrels, covered with tar, although lighter in
weight, would not keep water drinkable for along period
of time. This inability to carry water was a permanent
problem for the seamen. It also appears that there were
special caterers (victuallers) for the vessels. Homer
characteristically mentions Evinos, who sold wine to the
ships of the Achaeans, and also gave “one thousand
meters of wine” to Agamemnon and Menelaus, evidently
for the purpose of acquiring the right to sell wine to the
crew. The job of present day ship-chandlers appears to
be older than what we could imagine.
 ∫·È ÙÔ ı·Ï·ÛÛÈÓfi Ù·Í›‰È ·Ú¯›˙ÂÈ....
And the sea travel begins….

1. ∫ÂÚ΢ڷ˚΋ ·˘Ú¤ÏÏ·. ∞Ú. ™˘ÏÏÔÁ‹˜: 1.390

™Î¿ÊÔ˜ ηٷÛ΢·Ṳ̂ÓÔ ·fi ·‡ÚÈ ÛÙÔ˘˜ §È·¿‰Â˜ Ù˘ ∫¤Ú΢ڷ˜ ÙÔ 1986. OÈ ÎÂÚ΢ڷ˚Τ˜ ·˘Ú¤ÏϘ ‹Ù·Ó ·ÏÈ¢ÙÈο ΢ڛˆ˜
ÛοÊË Î·È ‚Ú›ÛÎÔÓÙ·Ó Û ¯Ú‹ÛË ÛÙË ‰˘ÙÈ΋ ∫¤Ú΢ڷ ̤¯ÚÈ ÙÔ 1965. ∏ ÙÔÈ΋ ÚÔÊÔÚÈ΋ ·Ú¿‰ÔÛË ·Ó·Ê¤ÚÂÈ ˆ˜ Ì ٤ÙÔȘ
‚¿ÚΘ Á›ÓÔÓÙ·Ó Ù·Í›‰È· ·fi ÙËÓ ∫¤Ú΢ڷ ̤¯ÚÈ ÙËÓ πÙ·Ï›·. ∏ ÚˆÙfiÁÔÓË ÌÔÚÊ‹ Î·È Î·Ù·Û΢‹ ÙÔ˘ Ô‰‹ÁËÛ ÙÔ˘˜ ÂÚ¢ÓËÙ¤˜ ÛÙËÓ
ÛΤ„Ë fiÙÈ ÚfiÎÂÈÙ·È ÁÈ· ¤Ó· ηٿÏÔÈÔ Ù˘ ÚÔ˚ÛÙÔÚÈ΋˜ Ó·˘ÙÈ΋˜ Ù¯ÓÔÏÔÁ›·˜ Ù˘ ·Ó·ÙÔÏÈ΋˜ ªÂÛÔÁ›Ԣ. ¢È·Ù˘ÒıËΠ̿ÏÈÛÙ· Ë
¿Ô„Ë ˆ˜ Ì ·ÚfiÌÔÈ· ·˘Ú¤ÓÈ· ÛοÊË Èı·ÓfiÓ Ó· Ú·ÁÌ·ÙÔÔÈ‹ıËÎ·Ó Ù· ÚÒÙ· ı·Ï·ÛÛÈÓ¿ Ù·Í›‰È· ÛÙÔ ∞ÈÁ·›Ô Ù˘
ªÂÛÔÏÈıÈ΋˜ ÂÚÈfi‰Ô˘.

1. Corfiot papyrella. Collection No: 1,390

A vessel made of papyrus in Liapades, Corfu in 1986. The Corfiot papyrellas were mainly fishing vessels and continued to be in use in
western Corfu up to 1988. Local oral tradition says that voyages from Corfu to Italy were carried out on such vessels. Its primitive form
and construction led researchers to believe that it is a remnant of prehistoric maritime technology of the Eastern Mediterranean. An
opinion was expressed, in particular, that the first sea voyages in the Aegean, of the Mesolithic Period, were carried out on similar
papyrus vessels.

2
2. OÈ Î·Ï‡ÙÂÚ· ‰È·ÙËÚË̤ÓÔÈ ÛfiÓ‰˘ÏÔÈ
·ÚÚ¿‚‰ˆÙˆÓ ÎÈfiÓˆÓ ·fi ÙÔ Û˘ÁÎÚfiÙËÌ·
ÙˆÓ ÓˆÛÔ›ÎˆÓ Ù˘ ∑¤·˜, Ô˘
Ê˘ÏÏ¿ÛÔÓÙ·È ÛÙÔ ¡·˘ÙÈÎfi ªÔ˘Û›Ô. ∞Ó·-
ηχÊıËÎ·Ó ÙÔ 1964 ηٿ ÙË
‰È¿ÚÎÂÈ· ÙˆÓ ÂÚÁ·ÛÈÒÓ Î·Ù·Û΢‹˜ ÙˆÓ
Û˘Á¯ÚfiÓˆÓ ÏÈÌÂÓÈÎÒÓ ÂÁηٷÛÙ¿ÛˆÓ.
∞Ú. ™˘ÏÏÔÁ‹˜: 108, 107, 105.

2. The best preserved parts of the

unfluted stone columns from the group
of the Zea neosoikoi kept at the
Museum. They were discovered in 1964
during the construction of the modern
harbour facilities of the marina of Zea.
Collection Nos: 108, 107, 105

24
 3

3. OÌÔ›ˆÌ· ÌÈÓˆÈÎÔ‡ ÏÔ›Ô˘. ∫·Ù·Û΢‹: °ÂÒÚÁÈÔ˜ Î·È ∞ÚÈÛÙÔÙ¤Ï˘ ƒ¿ÏÏ˘. ∞Ú. ™˘ÏÏÔÁ‹˜:1.837
OÈ ÏËÚÔÊÔڛ˜ ÁÈ· Ù· ÏÔ›· Ô˘ ¯ÚËÛÈÌÔÔÈÔ‡Û·Ó ÔÈ ªÈÓˆ›Ù˜ ÚÔ¤Ú¯ÔÓÙ·È ·fi ÂÈηÛÙÈΤ˜ ËÁ¤˜. ∞ÂÈÎÔÓ›ÛÂȘ ÏÔ›ˆÓ ‚Ú¤ıËηÓ
Û ‹ÏÈÓ· ·ÁÁ›·, ÎÔÛÌ‹Ì·Ù· ·ÏÏ¿ ΢ڛˆ˜ Û ÛÊÚ·ÁȉfiÏÈıÔ˘˜. ¢˘ÛÙ˘¯Ò˜ ·˘Ù¤˜ ÔÈ ËÁ¤˜ ÏfiÁˆ ÙÔ˘ ÌÈÎÚÔÁÚ·ÊÈÎÔ‡ ÙÔ˘˜ ¯·Ú·ÎÙ‹-
Ú· ‰ÂÓ ‰È·ÎÚ›ÓÔÓÙ·È ÁÈ· ÙËÓ ·ÎÚ›‚ÂÈ· ÛÙËÓ ·fi‰ÔÛË ÙÔ˘ ı¤Ì·ÙÔ˜ ÏÔ›Ô˘. OÈ Û˘Ì‚¿ÛÂȘ Î·È ÔÈ ·ÏÔ˘ÛÙ‡ÛÂȘ Ô˘ ¯ÚËÛÈÌÔÔÈÔ‡Ó ÔÈ
ηÏÏÈÙ¤¯Ó˜, ı¤ÙÔ˘Ó ÁÈ· ÙÔ˘˜ ÂÚ¢ÓËÙ¤˜ Ù˘ ·Ú¯·›·˜ Ó·˘ËÁÈ΋˜ ÂÚÈÛÛfiÙÂÚ· ÚÔ‚Ï‹Ì·Ù· ·fi fiÛ· χÓÔ˘Ó. ªÂ ‚¿ÛË ·˘Ù¤˜ ÙȘ
·ÂÈÎÔÓ›ÛÂȘ ηٷÛ΢¿ÛÙËΠÙÔ ÔÌÔ›ˆÌ· ÂÓfi˜ ·ÓÙÈÚÔÛˆ¢ÙÈÎÔ‡ ÌÈÓˆÈÎÔ‡ ÛοÊÔ˘˜ Ù˘ ÂÔ¯‹˜ Ù˘ ·ÎÌ‹˜ Ù˘ «ÌÈÓˆÈ΋˜
ı·Ï·ÛÛÔÎÚ·ÙÔÚ›·˜»,1700-1400 .Ã.

3. Model of a Minoan ship. Made by George and Aristotelis Rallis. Collection No: 1,837
Information regarding these ships used by the Minoans comes from artistic sources. Portrayals of these ships were found on
earthenware pottery and jewellery but mainly on cameos. Unfortunately, these sources, due to their micrographic size, are not very
precise in their rendering of the ship. The conventionalities and the simplifications used by the artists, create more problems to
researchers of ancient shipbuilding than what they solve. On the basis of these portrayals, a model of a representative Minoan ship
was built from the era of the peak of “Minoan supremacy at sea”, 1700-1400 B.C.

25
 4

4. OÌÔ›ˆÌ· ÙÔ˘ ÏÔ›Ô˘ Ù˘ £‹Ú·˜. ∫·Ù·Û΢‹: °ÂÒÚÁÈÔ˜ ƒ¿ÏÏ˘. ∞Ú. ™˘ÏÏÔÁ‹˜: 81
∆Ô ÛËÌ·ÓÙÈÎfiÙÂÚÔ ÌÓËÌÂ›Ô ÁÈ· ÙËÓ ÈÛÙÔÚ›· Ù˘ Ó·˘ËÁÈ΋˜ ÙÔ˘ ÚÔ˚ÛÙÔÚÈÎÔ‡ ∞ÈÁ·›Ô˘ ÚÔ¤Ú¯ÂÙ·È ·fi ÙÔ ÁÓˆÛÙfi ÓËÛ› ÙˆÓ ∫˘ÎÏ¿‰ˆÓ
ÙË £‹Ú·. °‡Úˆ ÛÙ· 1550 .Ã. ÛËÌÂÈÒıËÎÂ Ë ÌÂÁ¿ÏË ¤ÎÚËÍË ÙÔ˘ ËÊ·ÈÛÙ›Ԣ Ô˘ ‚Ú›ÛÎÂÙ·È ÛÙÔ Î¤ÓÙÚÔ ÙÔ˘ ÓËÛÈÔ‡. ∫¿Ùˆ ·fi ÙËÓ
ËÊ·ÈÛÙÂȷ΋ ÛÙ¿¯ÙË ı¿ÊÙËÎ·Ó Î·È ‰È·ÙËÚ‹ıËÎ·Ó Û Ôχ ηϋ ηٿÛÙ·ÛË Ù· ÎÙ›ÚÈ· ÙÔ˘ ÚÔ˚ÛÙÔÚÈÎÔ‡ ÔÈÎÈÛÌÔ‡ ÙÔ˘ ∞ÎÚˆÙËÚ›Ô˘
ÛÙÔ ÓfiÙÈÔ ¿ÎÚÔ ÙÔ˘ ÓËÛÈÔ‡. ™˘ÁÎÂÎÚÈ̤ӷ ÛÙËÓ ·ÔηÏÔ‡ÌÂÓË ¢˘ÙÈ΋ OÈΛ·, ÛÙÔ ‰ˆÌ¿ÙÈÔ ·ÚÈıÌfi˜ ¤ÓÙÂ, ·Ó·Î·Ï‡ÊıËÎÂ Ë ÂÚ›ÊËÌË
ÌÈÎÚÔÁÚ·ÊÈ΋ ÙÔȯÔÁÚ·Ê›· Ô˘ ·ÂÈÎÔÓ›˙ÂÈ ÔÌ‹ ÛÙfiÏÔ˘. ∏ ÌÂÁ¿ÏË Îϛ̷η ÛÙËÓ ÔÔ›· ¤¯Ô˘Ó ·ÂÈÎÔÓÈÛÙ› Ù· ÏÔ›· Î·È Ë Ú·ÏÈÛÙÈ-
΋ ÂÚÈÁÚ·ÊÈ΋ ÚÔÛ¤ÁÁÈÛË ÙÔ˘ £ËÚ·›Ô˘ ˙ˆÁÚ¿ÊÔ˘, Â¤ÙÚ„·Ó ÙËÓ ·fi‰ÔÛË Î·Ù·Û΢·ÛÙÈÎÒÓ ÏÂÙÔÌÂÚÂÈÒÓ. ÿÚȘ Û ·˘Ù¤˜ ÙȘ
ÙÔȯÔÁڷʛ˜ Â›Ó·È ‰˘Ó·Ù‹ ÌÈ· ÏËÚ¤ÛÙÂÚË ·ÔηٿÛÙ·ÛË ÙÔ˘ ÏÔ›Ô˘ Ô˘ ‰È¤Û¯È˙ ÙÔ ÓÂÚ¿ ÙÔ˘ ∞ÈÁ·›Ô˘ ηٿ Ù· Ù¤ÏË Ù˘ ª¤Û˘
ÂÔ¯‹˜ ÙÔ˘ ÷ÏÎÔ‡. ™‡Ìʈӷ Ì ÙÔ˘˜ ÂÚ¢ÓËÙ¤˜ ÙÔ Ì‹ÎÔ˜ ·˘ÙÒÓ ÙˆÓ ÏÔ›ˆÓ ÌÔÚ› Î·È Ó· ¤Êı·Ó ٷ 30 ̤ÙÚ· Î·È ‰È¤ıÂÙ·Ó 18
¤ˆ˜ 21 ΈËÏ¿Ù˜ Û οı ÏÂ˘Ú¿. ™ÙÔ Î¤ÓÙÚÔ ˘‹Ú¯Â ÈÛÙfi˜ Ì ¤Ó· ÙÂÙÚ¿ÁˆÓÔ ·Ó›. O ÈÛÙfi˜ ‹Ù·Ó ÂÚÈ·ÈÚÂÙfi˜, ηıÒ˜ ‰Â›¯ÓÔ˘Ó
ÔÚÈṲ̂ӷ ÏÔ›· Ù˘ ÙÔȯÔÁÚ·Ê›·˜. ∞˘Ù¿, ÂÂȉ‹ Ô ‰È·ı¤ÛÈÌÔ˜ ¯ÒÚÔ˜ ‰ÂÓ Â¤ÙÚ„ ÛÙÔÓ Î·ÏÏÈÙ¤¯ÓË Ó· Ù· ˙ˆÁÚ·Ê›ÛÂÈ Ì ˘„ˆÌ¤Ó·
Ù· ηٿÚÙÈ·, Ì·˜ ÏËÚÔÊÔÚÔ‡Ó fiÙÈ ÙÔ Î·Ù‚·Ṳ̂ÓÔ Î·Ù¿ÚÙÈ Ì·˙› Ì ÙÔ ·Ó› ÎÚ·ÙÈfiÙ·Ó Û ÔÚÈ˙fiÓÙÈ· ı¤ÛË, ÛÙËÚÈÁ̤ÓÔ Û ‰È¯·ÏˆÙ¤˜
˘Ô‰Ô¯¤˜. ∆Ô Û¯‹Ì· ÙÔ˘ ÛοÊÔ˘˜ ÔÌÔÈ¿˙ÂÈ Ì ÙÔ Û¯‹Ì· Ù˘ «ËÌÈÛÂÏ‹ÓÔ˘», ¯·Ú·ÎÙËÚÈÛÙÈÎfi ÙˆÓ ÏÔ›ˆÓ ÛÙÔ˘˜ ÌÈÓˆÈÎÔ‡˜ ÛÊÚ·Áȉfi-
ÏÈıÔ˘˜. ªÈÓˆÈ΋˜ ÚÔÂχۈ˜ Â›Ó·È Î·È Ë ÙÚÈÁˆÓÈ΋ ÚÔÂÍÔ¯‹ ÛÙËÓ ÂÚÈÔ¯‹ Ù˘ Ú‡ÌÓ˘, Ë ÔÔ›· ¤‰ˆÛ ·ÊÔÚÌ‹ ÁÈ· ÔÏϤ˜ Û˘˙Ë-
Ù‹ÛÂȘ Û¯ÂÙÈο Ì ÙËÓ ¯ÚËÛÈÌfiÙËÙ¿ Ù˘. ™‡Ìʈӷ Ì ÓÂfiÙÂÚ˜ ·fi„ÂȘ ÚfiÎÂÈÙ·È ÁÈ· «Á¤Ê˘Ú·» ·Ô‚›‚·Û˘ Î·È ‹Ù·Ó ÎÈÓËÙfi ÂÍ¿ÚÙË-
Ì· ÙˆÓ ÏÔ›ˆÓ. ™ÙËÓ ÂÚÈÔ¯‹ Ù˘ Ú‡ÌÓ˘ Â›Û˘ ˘¿Ú¯ÂÈ Ì›· ÏÔ‡ÛÈ· ‰È·ÎÔÛÌË̤ÓË Î·Ì›Ó·. ™ÙËÓ ÙÔȯÔÁÚ·Ê›·, Û ·˘Ù‹ ÙËÓ È‰È·›-
ÙÂÚË ı¤ÛË, οıÂÙ·È ¤Ó· ¿ÙÔÌÔ, Èı·ÓfiÓ Ô Î˘‚ÂÚÓ‹Ù˘ ·Ó fi¯È οÔÈÔ ¿ÏÏÔ Âͤ¯ÔÓ ÚfiÛˆÔ. O ÎÂÓÙÚÈÎfi˜ ¯ÒÚÔ˜ ηχÙÂÙ·È ·fi ¤Ó·
ÛÙ¤Á·ÛÙÚÔ, οو ·fi ÙÔ ÔÔ›Ô ‰È·ÎÚ›ÓÔÓÙ·È ÂÈ‚¿Ù˜. ÷ڷÎÙËÚÈÛÙÈÎfi˜ ÛÙ· ÏÔ›· Ù˘ ÙÔȯÔÁÚ·Ê›·˜ Ù˘ £‹Ú·˜ Â›Ó·È Ô ÏÔ‡ÛÈÔ˜
Ê˘ÛÈÔÎÚ·ÙÈÎfi˜ ‰È¿ÎÔÛÌÔ˜, Ô ÔÔ›Ô˜ ·Ú·¤ÌÂÈ Û ·ÈÁ˘Ùȷο ÚfiÙ˘·.

4. Model of the ship of Thera. Made by George Rallis. Collection No: 81

The most important records for the history of shipbuilding in the prehistoric Aegean come from the well-known Cycladic island of
Thera. Around 1550 B.C. the volcano situated in the centre of the island erupted violently. The buildings of the prehistoric settlement
of Akrotiri, at the southern tip of the island, were buried and preserved in very good condition under the volcanic ash. In the Western
Residence, specifically, in room number five, the famous fresco portraying a flotilla in procession was discovered. The large scale in
which the vessels have been depicted and the realistic, descriptive approach of the artist from Thera, enabled the identification of their
structural details. Thanks to these details, a more complete re-creation of the ship that sailed the waters of the Aegean at the end of
the Middle Bronze Age was made possible. According to the researchers, the length of these ships reached up to 30 metres and they
had 18 to 21 oarsmen on each side. The mast was removable, as shown on several vessels in the fresco. These details, as the artist
did not have enough available space to paint the vessels with their masts raised, inform us that the removed mast, together with its
sail, was stowed in a horizontal position, supported by pronged receptacles. The vessel has a “crescent” shape, a characteristic of
ships portrayed on Minoan cameos. The triangular projection extending outwards from the stern is also of Minoan origin and has
generated much debate about its purpose. According to more recent opinions, it served as a boarding plank and was a movable
attachment of the vessel. In the area of the stern there is also a lavishly decorated cabin. In the fresco, an individual is seated in this
special area, possibly the master of the vessel or some other dignitary. The central space is covered by some form of shelter under
which passengers are depicted. Characteristic of the vessels portrayed in the fresco of Thera is their rich, naturalistic decoration which
brings to mind Egyptian prototypes.

26
 5

5. OÌÔ›ˆÌ· ÂÓÙËÎÔÓÙfiÚÔ˘. ∫·Ù·Û΢‹: °. µ·Ì̤ÓÔ˜. ∂ÔÙ›·: ∫. ∞ÏÂÍ·Ó‰Ú‹˜. ∞Ú. ™˘ÏÏÔÁ‹˜: 86

ªÂÙ¿ ÙȘ ·Ó·Î·Ù·Ù¿ÍÂȘ ÙˆÓ ÏËı˘ÛÌÒÓ Ô˘ ·ÎÔÏÔ‡ıËÛ·Ó ÙËÓ Î¿ıÔ‰Ô ÙˆÓ ¢ˆÚȤˆÓ Î·È fiÙ·Ó È· ¿Ú¯ÈÛ ӷ ·Ôηı›ÛÙ·Ù·È Ë ËÚÂ-
Ì›·, ÔÈ ŒÏÏËÓ˜ Í·Ó·Á˘Ú›˙Ô˘Ó Ì ·˘Í·ÓfiÌÂÓË ÔÚÌ‹ ÛÙÔÓ ˘ÁÚfi ÛÙ›‚Ô Ù˘ ·Ó·ÙÔÏÈ΋˜ ªÂÛÔÁ›Ԣ. ∆· ÏÔ›· ÙÔ˘˜ Â›Ó·È ÈÔ ÂÍÂÏÈÁ̤ӷ
Î·È ÁÈ· ÚÒÙË ÊÔÚ¿, ηٿ ÙÔÓ 7Ô ·ÈÒÓ· .Ã. ·ÚÔ˘ÛÈ¿˙ÂÙ·È Î·È Â›Ó·È ϤÔÓ ÍÂοı·ÚÔ˜, Ô ‰È·¯ˆÚÈÛÌfi˜ ÙÔ˘˜ Û ÂÌÔÚÈο Î·È ÔÏÂÌÈ-
ο ÏÔ›·. ∏ ÂÌÊ¿ÓÈÛË Û ϛÁÔ ÂÓfi˜ Ó¤Ô˘ ÂÍ·ÚÙ‹Ì·ÙÔ˜, ÙÔ˘ ÂÌ‚fiÏÔ˘ ÛÙËÓ ÏÒÚË ÙˆÓ ÔÏÂÌÈÎÒÓ, ·ÔÙÂÏ› Ú·ÁÌ·ÙÈ΋ Â·Ó¿ÛÙ·ÛË
ÛÙËÓ Ù¯ÓÔÏÔÁ›· Ù˘ Ó·˘ËÁÈ΋˜ Î·È Ù˘ ÔÏÂÌÈ΋˜ Ù·ÎÙÈ΋˜ Ù˘ ÂÔ¯‹˜. ∆Ô Ó¤Ô ·˘Ùfi ÏÔ›Ô Á›ÓÂÙ·È ÌÈ· ηÈÓÔÊ·Ó‹˜, ÁÚ‹ÁÔÚË,
ψً Ì˯·Ó‹, ¤ÙÔÈÌË Î·È ÈηӋ Ó· ÂÈ‚¿ÏÏÂÈ Î·È Ó· ÂÍ·ÛÊ·Ï›ÛÂÈ ÙËÓ Î˘ÚÈ·Ú¯›· ÛÙË ı¿Ï·ÛÛ·.
∏ ÂÓÙËÎfiÓÙÔÚÔ˜ Â›Ó·È ¤Ó· ÏÔ›Ô Ô˘ ‰È¤ıÂÙ 50 ÎÔ˘È¿ (25 Û οı ÏÂ˘Ú¿) Î·È Î¿ÓÂÈ ÙËÓ ÂÌÊ¿ÓÈÛ‹ ÙÔ˘ ‹‰Ë ·fi ÙËÓ 2Ë ¯ÈÏÈÂÙ›·
.Ã. Î·È Â›¯Â, fiˆ˜ fiÏ· ÏÔ›· Ù˘ ÂÔ¯‹˜ ÂΛӢ ÌÂÙ·ÊÔÚÈÎfi ÚfiÏÔ. ∆ÔÓ 7Ô ·ÈÒÓ· fï˜ ·Ó·Ï·Ì‚¿ÓÂÈ Î·ı¿Ú· ÔÏÂÌÈ΋ ·ÔÛÙÔÏ‹. ∏
ÂÓÙËÎfiÓÙÔÚÔ˜, Ì·˙› Ì ¤Ó·Ó ¿ÏÏÔ Ù‡Ô ÌÈÎÚfiÙÂÚÔ ÏÔ›Ô˘ ÙËÓ ÙÚÈ·ÎfiÓÙÔÚÔ, ·ÔÙÂÏÔ‡Û·Ó ÙÔ˘˜ ‚·ÛÈÎÔ‡˜ Ù‡Ô˘˜ ÔÏÂÌÈÎÒÓ ÙÔÓ 7Ô
·È. .Ã. ÚÈÓ ·fi ÙËÓ ÂÈÎÚ¿ÙËÛË Ù˘ ÙÚÈ‹ÚÔ˘˜. ¶ÂÓÙËÎfiÓÙÔÚÔÈ ¤Ï·‚·Ó ̤ÚÔ˜ Î·È ÛÙË Ó·˘Ì·¯›· Ù˘ ™·Ï·Ì›Ó·˜.

5. Model of a pentekonter. Made by G. Vammenos. Supervised by K. Alexandris. Collection No: 86

After the population movements which followed the descent of the Dorians, the Hellenes returned with a greater vigour to the sea
arena of the Eastern Mediterranean. Their vessels were now improved and, for the first time, during the 7th century B.C., it becomes
clear the distinction between merchant ships and warships. The appearance, shortly afterwards, of a new weapon, the ram at the
warship's prow, revolutionized shipbuilding technology and naval tactics of this period. This new type of vessel, the warship, took the
form of an innovative, fast, floating war machine, ready and able to achieve supremacy on the seas.
The pentekonter was a ship that had 50 oars (25 on each side) and appeared around the 2nd millennium B.C. and like other ships of
this period, was used for transport. During the 7th century B.C., however, it clearly assumed a war mission. The pentekonters along
with another smaller type of ship, the triakonters constituted the two basic warships in the 7th century B.C. before the trireme's
prevalence. Pentekonters also participated in the naval battle of Salamina.

27
6. OÌÔ›ˆÌ· ·ıËÓ·˚΋˜ ÙÚÈ‹ÚÔ˘˜ ÙÔ˘ 5Ô˘ ·È. .Ã. ∫ϛ̷η: 1/10. ∫·Ù·Û΢‹: °. ª·ÚÁ·ÚÒÓ˘ (∂ÚÁ·ÛÙ‹ÚÈÔ Ó·˘ËÁÈ΋˜ ∂.ª.¶). ŒÚ¢-
Ó· Î·È Û¯Â‰È·: J. Morrison Î·È J.F. Coates. ∞Ú. ™˘ÏÏoÁ‹˜: 1.310
∏ ÙÚÈ‹Ú˘ ‹Ù·Ó ¤Ó· ÂÏ·ÊÚfi, ÁÚ‹ÁÔÚÔ, ¢¤ÏÈÎÙÔ Î·È Ì ÈÛ¯˘Ú‹ ÏÒÚË ÏÔ›Ô. ∏ ΛÓËÛ‹ ÙÔ˘ ÛÙËÚÈ˙fiÙ·Ó Î˘Ú›ˆ˜ ÛÙËÓ ·ÓıÚÒÈÓË Ì˘˚΋
‰‡Ó·ÌË, ÛÙÔ˘˜ ΈËÏ¿Ù˜, ÂÓÒ ÛÙÔ Ù·Í›‰È ÙÔ˘ ‚ÔËıÈfiÙ·Ó Î·È ·fi ·ÓÈ¿.
OÈ ÚÒÙ˜ ÙÚÈ‹ÚÂȘ Ê·›ÓÂÙ·È fiÙÈ Ó·˘ËÁ‹ıËÎ·Ó ÌÂٷ͇ ÙÔ˘ 650-610 .Ã. ÛÙËÓ ∫fiÚÈÓıÔ. ¶·Ù¤Ú·˜ Ù˘ ÙÚÈ‹ÚÔ˘˜ ıˆÚÂ›Ù·È Ô ∫ÔÚ›ÓıÈÔ˜
∞ÌÂÈÓÔÎÏ‹˜. ∏ Ó·˘‹ÁËÛ‹ ÙÔ˘˜, fiˆ˜ Î·È Ë ¯ÚËÛÈÌÔÔ›ËÛ‹ ÙÔ˘˜, ÙÂÏÂÈÔÔÈ‹ıËÎ·Ó ÛÙËÓ ∞ı‹Ó· ÙÔ˘ 5Ô˘ ·ÈÒÓ· .Ã. ∏ ·ıËÓ·˚΋ ÙÚÈ‹-
Ú˘ ÛÙËÓ ÂÍÂÏÈÁ̤ÓË ÌÔÚÊ‹ Ù˘ ÂÎÙÈÌ¿Ù·È fiÙÈ Â›¯Â Ù· ÂÍ‹˜ ¯·Ú·ÎÙËÚÈÛÙÈο: ̤ÁÈÛÙÔ Ì‹ÎÔ˜ 37 ̤ÙÚ·, ̤ÁÈÛÙÔ Ï¿ÙÔ˜ 5,20 ̤ÙÚ·,
‚‡ıÈÛÌ· ÂÚ› ÙÔ 1,5 ̤ÙÚÔ, ÂÎÙfiÈÛÌ· ÂÚ› ÙÔ˘˜ 70 ÙfiÓÔ˘˜. ¢È¤ıÂÙÂ Û˘Ó‹ıˆ˜ 170 ÎÔ˘È¿ Û˘ÓÔÏÈο, 85 Û οı ÏÂ˘Ú¿, ÙÔÔıÂÙË-
̤ӷ Û ÙÚÂȘ ÛÂÈÚ¤˜ Ì ¤Ó· ΈËÏ¿ÙË ÁÈ· οı ÎÔ˘›. ∆· ÎÔ˘È¿ ÛÙȘ ·Ú¯·›Â˜ ÂÏÏËÓÈΤ˜ ÙÚÈ‹ÚÂȘ ‰ÂÓ Ù· ÎÚ¿ÙËÛ·Ó ÔÙ¤ ÛÎÏ¿‚ÔÈ
·Ú¿ ÌfiÓÔ ÂχıÂÚÔÈ Ôϛ٘.
∆Ô Û˘ÓÔÏÈÎfi ϋڈ̷ Ì·˙› Ì ÙÔ˘˜ ΈËÏ¿Ù˜ ‹Ù·Ó 210 - 216 ¿Ó‰Ú˜. ∆ËÓ ·ÓÒÙ·ÙË ‰ÈÔ›ÎËÛË ÙÔ˘ ÏÔ›Ô˘ ·ÛÎÔ‡ÛÂ Ô ÙÚÈ‹Ú·Ú¯Ô˜.
∆ÔÓ ‚ÔËıÔ‡Û·Ó 6 ·ÍȈ̷ÙÈÎÔ› Î·È 4 ˘·ÍȈ̷ÙÈÎÔ›.
∂ÓÒ Ë ÙÚÈ‹Ú˘ ‹Ù·Ó ¤Ó· Έ‹Ï·ÙÔ Î˘Ú›ˆ˜ ÛοÊÔ˜ ›¯Â ¤Ó·Ó ·ÚÈÔ ÈÛÙfi Ì ÌÂÁ¿ÏÔ ÙÂÙÚ¿ÁˆÓÔ ·Ó› Î·È ¤Ó·Ó ‰Â˘ÙÂÚ‡ÔÓÙ· ÚÔ˜ ÙËÓ
ÏÒÚË, ÙÔ ·Î¿ÙÈÔ, Ì ÌÈÎÚfiÙÂÚÔ ·Ó›. ∆Ô ·Î¿ÙÈÔ, fi¯È ÌfiÓÔ ·‡Í·Ó ÙËÓ Ù·¯‡ÙËÙ· Ì· Î·È ‚ÔËıÔ‡Û ٷ ÎÔ˘È¿ - ˉ¿ÏÈ· ηٿ ÙÔ Ù·Í›‰È.
ŸÙ·Ó ÔÈ ¿ÓÂÌÔÈ ‹Ù·Ó Ô‡ÚÈÔÈ (¢ÓÔ˚ÎÔ›) ÔÈ ÏÔ›·Ú¯ÔÈ ÙˆÓ ÙÚÈ‹ÚÂˆÓ ¯ÚËÛÈÌÔÔÈÔ‡Û·Ó fiÛÔ ÙÔ ‰˘Ó·Ùfi ÂÚÈÛÛfiÙÂÚÔ Ù· ·ÓÈ¿ ÙÔ˘˜ ÁÈ·
Ó· ÍÂÎÔ˘Ú¿˙ÔÓÙ·È ÔÈ ÎˆËÏ¿Ù˜. ∫·Ù¿ ÙȘ Ó·˘Ì·¯›Â˜ η٤‚·˙·Ó ¿ÓÙ· Ù· ·ÓÈ¿ Î·È ÙÔ˘˜ ÈÛÙÔ‡˜ ÒÛÙ ÔÈ ¯ÂÈÚÈÛÌÔ› ÂÌ‚ÔÏÈÛÌÔ‡ ÙˆÓ
¯ıÚÈÎÒÓ ÏÔ›ˆÓ Ó· Á›ÓÔÓÙ·È ÌfiÓÔ Ì ٷ ÎÔ˘È¿. °È· ÙËÓ ˉ·ÏÈÔ‡¯ËÛË ‰È¤ıÂÙ ‰‡Ô ÌÂÁ¿Ï· Î·È Ï·ÙÈ¿ ÎÔ˘È¿ ÙÔÔıÂÙË̤ӷ ·Ó¿
¤Ó· Û οı ÏÂ˘Ú¿ Ù˘ Ú‡ÌÓ˘ Ô˘ Ù· ¯ÂÈÚ›˙ÔÓÙ·Ó ¤ÌÂÈÚÔÈ Î·È Âȉ¤ÍÈÔÈ Ó·˘ÙÈÎÔ›, ÔÈ ˉ·ÏÈÔ‡¯ÔÈ.
∏ ÙÚÈ‹Ú˘ ¯ÚËÛÈÌÔÔÈ‹ıËΠÛÙËÓ Ó·˘Ì·¯›· Ù˘ ™·Ï·Ì›Ó·˜ ÙÔ 480 .Ã.
H ‰È·ÚÎÒ˜ ·ÓÂÚ¯fiÌÂÓË ÈÛ¯‡˜ ÙˆÓ ∂ÏÏ‹ÓˆÓ ·ÓËÛ˘¯Â› ÙË ªÂÁ¿ÏË ¢‡Ó·ÌË Ù˘ ÂÔ¯‹˜, ÙËÓ ¶ÂÚÛ›·, Ô˘ ‚ϤÂÈ ÙËÓ ∂ÏÏ¿‰· Û·Ó ·Áο-
ıÈ ÛÙ· ÏÂ˘Ú¿ Ù˘ Î·È ÌÔÓ·‰ÈÎfi ÊÚ·ÁÌfi ÛÙ· ÎÔÛÌÔÎÚ·ÙÔÚÈο Ù˘ Û¯¤‰È·.
∏ ·Ó·fiÊ¢ÎÙË ϤÔÓ Û‡ÁÎÚÔ˘ÛË ÊÙ¿ÓÂÈ Ì ÙË ÌÔÚÊ‹ ÙˆÓ ÂÚÛÈÎÒÓ Î·Ù·ÎÙËÙÈÎÒÓ ÔÏ¤ÌˆÓ Ô˘ ‹Ú·Ó ÙÔ fiÓÔÌ· ªË‰ÈÎÔ› ¶fiÏÂÌÔÈ.
∏ ¤Ó·ÚÍ‹ ÙÔ˘˜ ‚ڋΠÙÔ˘˜ ŒÏÏËÓ˜ Ì ÌÈÎÚÔ‡˜ ·ÏÏ¿ ηϿ ÔÚÁ·ÓˆÌ¤ÓÔ˘˜ Î·È ÂÎ·È‰Â˘Ì¤ÓÔ˘˜ ÛÙfiÏÔ˘˜. ∞ÎÚÈ‚Ò˜ ·˘Ù‹ Ë ˘ÂÚÔ¯‹
ÙˆÓ ∂ÏÏ‹ÓˆÓ Û ӷ˘ÙÔÛ‡ÓË Î·È Ù·ÎÙÈ΋ Î·È Ë ÌÂÁ·ÏÔÊ˘˝· ÙÔ˘ ËÁ¤ÙË ÙˆÓ ∞ıËÓ·›ˆÓ £ÂÌÈÛÙÔÎÏ‹, ÂÓfi˜ ·fi ÙÔ˘˜ ÌÂÁ·Ï‡ÙÂÚÔ˘˜ ÔÏÈ-
ÙÈÎÔÛÙÚ·ÙȈÙÈÎÔ‡˜ ËÁ¤Ù˜ Ô˘ ·Ó¤‰ÂÈÍ ÔÙ¤ Ô ∂ÏÏËÓÈÛÌfi˜, Ô‰‹ÁËÛ·Ó ¤ÂÈÙ· ·fi ÔÏϤ˜ Û˘ÁÎÚÔ‡ÛÂȘ ÛÙËÓ ÍËÚ¿ Î·È ÛÙË ı¿Ï·ÛÛ·
ÛÙË ıÚÈ·Ì‚Â˘ÙÈ΋ ÙÂÏÈ΋ Ó›ÎË ÙˆÓ ∂ÏÏ‹ÓˆÓ ÛÙË ™·Ï·Ì›Ó· ÛÙȘ 28 ‹ 29 ™ÂÙÂÌ‚Ú›Ô˘ 480 .Ã., «·Ó‰Ú›· ÌÂÓ ÎÔÈÓ‹ ÙˆÓ Ó·˘Ì·¯ËÛ¿-
ÓÙˆÓ, ÁÓÒÌË ‰Â Î·È ‰ÂÈÓfiÙËÙÈ ÙË £ÂÌÈÛÙÔÎÏ¤Ô˘˜» fiˆ˜ ÁÚ¿ÊÂÈ Ô ¶ÏÔ‡Ù·Ú¯Ô˜.
∂Λ Ô ÂÚÛÈÎfi˜ ÛÙfiÏÔ˜ (Ì ٷ 1.200 ÏÔ›· ÂÍ ˆÓ 400 ÊÔÈÓÈÎÈο) Û˘ÓÂÙÚ›‚Ë Î˘ÚÈÔÏÂÎÙÈο ·fi ÙÔÓ ÂÏÏËÓÈÎfi (400 ÏÔ›· ÂÍ ˆÓ 200 ·ıË-
Ó·˚ο) ·›ÚÓÔÓÙ·˜ Ì·˙› ÙÔ˘ ÔÚÈÛÙÈο ÛÙÔ ‚˘ıfi ÙˆÓ ÓÂÚÒÓ ÙÔ˘ ™ÙÂÓÔ‡ Ù˘ ™·Ï·Ì›Ó·˜ Î·È Ù· ÎÔÛÌÔÎÚ·ÙÔÚÈο fiÓÂÈÚ· ÙÔ˘ •¤ÚÍË.
∏ Ó·˘Ì·¯›· ·˘Ù‹ Â›Ó·È Ì›· ·fi ÙȘ ·ÔÊ·ÛÈÛÙÈÎfiÙÂÚ˜ Ó·˘ÙÈΤ˜ Û˘ÁÎÚÔ‡ÛÂȘ Ù˘ ·ÁÎfiÛÌÈ·˜ ÈÛÙÔÚ›·˜, Ô˘ ¤ÛˆÛ ÔÚÈÛÙÈο ÙËÓ
∂ÏÏ¿‰· ·fi ÙÔ ı·Ó¿ÛÈÌÔ Î›Ó‰˘ÓÔ ÙÔ˘ ÂÚÛÈÎÔ‡ ÂÂÎÙ·ÙÈÛÌÔ‡ Î·È ·ÂÙ¤ÏÂÛ ÈÛÙÔÚÈÎfi ÔÚfiÛËÌÔ ÁÈ· ÙËÓ ÌÂÙ¤ÂÈÙ· ÔÚ›· Î·È ·Ó¿-
Ù˘ÍË ÙÔ˘ ∂ÏÏËÓÈÛÌÔ‡ Î·È Ì·ÎÚÔÚfiıÂÛÌ· Ù˘ ∂˘ÚÒ˘.

6. Model of an athenian trireme of the 5th century B.C. Scale: 1/10. Made by G. Margaronis (Shipbuilding Laboratory, National
Technical University of Athens). Research and plans by J. Morrison and J.F. Coates. Collection No: 1,310
The trireme was a light, fast, highly manoeuvrable warship with a very strong bow. Its propulsion was mainly based on the human
muscle power of its oarsmen, while on long voyages, assistance was provided by sails. It appears that the first triremes were built
between 650 and 610 B.C. at Corinth. The father of the trireme is considered to be the Corinthian Ameinocles. Their construction and
use, however, were perfected by Athens in the 5th century B.C. The athenian trireme, in its advanced form, is estimated to have had
the following characteristics: maximum length, 37 metres, maximum beam, 5.20 metres, draught about 1.5 metres, displacement
about 70 tons. The vessel usually had a total of 170 oars, 85 on each side, arranged in three banks with one oarsman per oar. In the
ancient Hellenic triremes, the oarsmen were never slaves but free citizens only.
The total number of crew, including the oarsmen, was 210-216 men. The vessel's commander was the trierarch who was assisted by
six officers and four petty officers. Although the trireme was chiefly an oar-driven vessel, it had a main mast with a large square sail
and a secondary fore mast, the akatio, with a smaller sail. The akatio not only increased the ship's speed but also assisted the
steering oars when the ship was voyaging. When the winds were aft (favourable), the commanders used the sails as much as
possible in order to rest the oarsmen. In naval engagements the masts and sails would be lowered so that the necessary manoeuvres
for ramming enemy ships were performed with oars only. For steering purposes, the trireme had two large broad rudders (steering
oars), one on each side of the stern, which were operated by experienced and skilful seamen, the pidaliouchi (helmsmen). The
trireme was used in the Naval Battle of Salamina, in 480 B.C. The continuously growing strength of the Hellenes worried the great
power of this period, Persia, who saw the Hellenes as a thorn in her side and the sole obstacle to her plans for world domination. The
inevitable clash came with the commencement of the Persian wars of conquest. Their outbreak found the Hellenes with small, but well
organized and trained fleets. It was this superiority of the Hellenes in seamanship and tactics, and the genius of the Athenian general
Themistocles, one of the greatest political and military figures ever to emerge from the Hellenes, which led to the triumphant final
victory of the Hellenes at Salamina on the 28th or 29th September, 480 B.C. Plutarch has written of “the common bravery of those
who fought, and the wisdom and skill of Themistocles”. It was there that the Persian fleet (1,200 ships of which 400 Phoenician) was
annihilated by the Hellenic fleet (400 ships of which 200 Athenian) taking down with it, under the waters of the Salamina Strait, all
Xerxes' dreams of World domination.
This naval battle, one of the most decisive naval engagements in world history, decisively saved Hellas from the mortal danger of
Persian expansionism and constituted the historic milestone for the subsequent course and development of Hellenism and, in the
long term, of Europe.

28
6
 7
7. OÌÔ›ˆÌ· Ù˘ ™Î¢Ôı‹Î˘ ÙÔ˘ º›ÏˆÓÔ˜. ∫ϛ̷η: 1/100.
∫·Ù·Û΢‹: ¶. ∞ÛËÌ¿Î˘. ∂ÔÙ›·: πˆ¿ÓÓÔ˘ ªÂÏÂÙfiÔ˘ÏÔ˘.
∞Ú. ™˘ÏÏÔÁ‹˜: 35
OÓÔÌ¿ÛıËΠ¤ÙÛÈ ·fi ÙÔ fiÓÔÌ· ÙÔ˘ ÂÚ›ÊËÌÔ˘ ·Ú¯ÈÙ¤ÎÙÔÓ·
º›ÏˆÓ· (4Ô˜ .Ã. ·ÈÒÓ·˜) Ô˘ ÙËÓ ¤ÎÙÈÛÂ. ◊Ù·Ó ¤Ó· ÂÈ‚ÏËÙÈÎfi
ÎÙ›ÚÈÔ ÁÂÓÈ΋˜ ·ÔıË·ۈ˜ ÙÔ˘ Û˘ÓfiÏÔ˘ ÙˆÓ ·ÓÙÔÂȉÒÓ
ÂÍ·ÚÙËÌ¿ÙˆÓ ÙˆÓ ÏÔ›ˆÓ ÙÔ˘ ·ıËÓ·˚ÎÔ‡ ÛÙfiÏÔ˘. ∞Ó Î·È ‰ÂÓ
‰È·ÛÒıËΠٛÔÙ· ·fi ÙÔ ÎÙ›ÚÈÔ Ô˘ ηٷÛÙÚ¿ÊËΠ·fi ʈÙÈ¿
ÙËÓ ƒˆÌ·˚΋ ∂Ô¯‹, ÌÈ· ÌÔÓ·‰È΋ ÂÈÁÚ·Ê‹ Ô˘ ·Ó·Î·Ï‡ÊıË-
ΠÛÙÔÓ ¶ÂÈÚ·È¿, Â¤ÙÚ„ ÛÙÔ˘˜ ·Ú¯·ÈÔÏfiÁÔ˘˜ Ó· ÙËÓ ·Ó··-
Ú·ÛÙ‹ÛÔ˘Ó Ì ÌÂÁ¿ÏË ·ÎÚ›‚ÂÈ·, ηıÒ˜ ‰›ÓÂÈ ÏÂÙÔÌÂÚ¤Ûٷٷ
ÙÔ˘˜ fiÚÔ˘˜ («Û˘ÁÁÚ·Ê¿˜») Ù˘ ÂÚÁÔÏ·‚›·˜. ª·ı·›ÓÔ˘Ì ¤ÙÛÈ,
fiÙÈ ÙÔ ÎÙ›ÚÈÔ Â›¯Â 133 ̤ÙÚ· Ì‹ÎÔ˜, 18 ̤ÙÚ· Ï¿ÙÔ˜ Î·È 10
̤ÙÚ· ‡„Ô˜. ∆Ô ‰¿Â‰Ô Î·È ÔÈ ÙÔ›¯ÔÈ ‹Ù·Ó ·fi Ì¿ÚÌ·ÚÔ Î·È ÙÔ
ÎÙ›ÚÈÔ ¯ˆÚÈ˙fiÙ·Ó ÂÛˆÙÂÚÈο Ì ‰ÈÏ‹ ÎÈÔÓÔÛÙÔȯ›· Û' ¤Ó·
ÎÂÓÙÚÈÎfi ‰È¿‰ÚÔÌÔ Î·È ‰‡Ô Ï¢ÚÈο ÎÏ›ÙË Ì ‰‡Ô ÔÚfiÊÔ˘˜,
fiÔ˘ ·ÔıË·ÔÓÙ·Ó Ù· ›‰Ë. µÚÈÛÎfiÙ·Ó ›Ûˆ ·fi ÙÔ˘˜ Óˆ-
ÛÔ›ÎÔ˘˜ ÙÔ˘ ¡·˘ÛÙ¿ıÌÔ˘ Ù˘ ∑¤·˜, ÂÚ›Ô˘ ÛÙË ÛËÌÂÚÈÓ‹
Ï·Ù›· ∫·Ó¿ÚË ÛÙÔÓ ¶ÂÈÚ·È¿.
30
7. Model of the Skevothiki of Filon. Scale: 1/100. Made by P.
Asimakis. Supervised by Ioannis Meletopoulos. Collection No:
35
It received its name from the famous architect Filon (4th
century B.C.) who built it. It was an impressive building which
was used as a general storage house for all the parts and
accessories of the Athenian fleet ships. Only the foundations
were preserved from this monumental building which was
destroyed by fire during the Roman period. A unique
inscription, discovered in Piraeus, allowed the archaeologists to
re-create it with great precision as it described, in detail, the
terms of the building contract. Thus, we learn that the building
was 133 metres long, 18 metres wide and 10 metres high. The
floor and walls were made of marble and the building was
partitioned internally by a double colonnade into a central
corridor and two side corridors with two floors where the items
were stored. The building was situated behind the neosoikous
of the Zea naval base, approximately in today's Kanari square,
in Piraeus.
 8

8. OÌÔ›ˆÌ· ÓˆÛԛΈÓ. ∫ϛ̷η: 1/100. ∫·Ù·Û΢‹: ¶. ∞ÛËÌ¿Î˘. ∂ÔÙ›·: πˆ¿ÓÓÔ˘ ªÂÏÂÙfiÔ˘ÏÔ˘. ∞Ú. ™˘ÏÏÔÁ‹˜: 54
OÈ ÓÂÒÛÔÈÎÔÈ ‹Ù·Ó Ù· ÎÙ›ÚÈ· ̤۷ ÛÙ· ÔÔ›· Ê˘Ï¿ÛÛÔÓÙ·Ó Î·È Û˘ÓÙËÚÔ‡ÓÙ·Ó ÔÈ ÙÚÈ‹ÚÂȘ fiÙ·Ó ‰ÂÓ ‚Ú›ÛÎÔÓÙ·Ó Û ÂÓÂÚÁfi ˘ËÚÂÛ›·.
◊Ù·Ó ÎÙÈṲ̂ÓÔÈ ÛÙËÓ ¿ÎÚË Ù˘ ·Ú·Ï›·˜ ÙÔ˘ ÏÈ̤ӷ. ¢È¤ıÂÙ·Ó ÂÈÎÏÈÓ¤˜ ÎÚË›‰ˆÌ·, ¯ÙÈÛÙfi ‹ ÛηÏÈÛÙfi ÛÙÔ ‚Ú¿¯Ô, ÙÔ ÔÔ›Ô ÂÈÛ¯ˆ-
ÚÔ‡Û ̤۷ ÛÙË ı¿Ï·ÛÛ·, ÒÛÙ ӷ ‰È¢ÎÔχÓÂÙ·È Ë ·Ó¤Ï΢ÛË. ∆Ô ÎÚË›‰ˆÌ· ·˘Ùfi ›¯Â Ì›· ·˘Ï·ÎÈ¿ ÛÙË Ì¤ÛË fiÔ˘ ÂÊ¿ÙÔÓÙ·Ó Ë
ÙÚfiȉ· (ηڤӷ). ∂η٤ڈıÂÓ Î¿ı ÎÚËȉÒÌ·ÙÔ˜ ˘‹Ú¯Â ÎÈÔÓÔÛÙÔȯ›· ·fi ·ÚÚ¿‚‰ˆÙÔ˘˜ ¤ÙÚÈÓÔ˘˜ ΛÔÓ˜, ÔÈ ÔÔ›ÔÈ ÛÙ‹ÚÈ˙·Ó ÙȘ
Û˘Ó¯fiÌÂÓ˜ ·ÌÊÈÎÏÈÓ›˜ ͇ÏÈÓ˜ ÛÙ¤Á˜. ∏ ÛÂÈÚ¿ ÙˆÓ ÓˆÛÔ›ÎˆÓ ÙÂÏ›ˆÓ ÚÔ˜ ÙÔ Ì¤ÚÔ˜ Ù˘ ÍËÚ¿˜ Û ¤ÙÚÈÓÔ Ì·ÎÚfi ÙÔ›¯Ô, οıÂ-
ÙÔ ÚÔ˜ ÙȘ ÎÈÔÓÔÛÙÔȯ›Â˜. ∆Ô ÙÌ‹Ì· ÙÔ˘ ‰·¤‰Ô˘ οı ÓˆÛÔ›ÎÔ˘ Ô˘ ‚ÚÈÛÎfiÙ·Ó ¤Íˆ ·fi ÙË ı¿Ï·ÛÛ· ‹Ù·Ó ÂÚ›Ô˘ 40 ̤ÙÚ· ηÈ
ÙÔ Ï¿ÙÔ˜ ÙÔ˘ 6,5 ̤ÙÚ·. ∞fi ÂÈÁÚ·ÊÈΤ˜ Ì·ÚÙ˘Ú›Â˜ Ì·˜ Â›Ó·È ÁÓˆÛÙfi, ˆ˜ ÙÔ 330/329 .Ã. ÛÙ· ÙÚ›· Ê˘ÛÈο ÏÈÌ¿ÓÈ· Ù˘ ¯ÂÚÛÔÓ‹-
ÛÔ˘ ÙÔ˘ ¶ÂÈÚ·È¿ ˘‹Ú¯·Ó Û˘ÓÔÏÈο 372 ÓÂÒÛÔÈÎÔÈ. ™ÙÔÓ ∫¿Óı·ÚÔ (ÛËÌÂÚÈÓfi ÎÂÓÙÚÈÎfi ÏÈÌ¿ÓÈ) 94, ÛÙË ªÔ˘Óȯ›· (ÛËÌÂÚÈÓfi ªÈÎÚÔϛ̷-
ÓÔ) 82 Î·È ÛÙË ∑¤· (ÛËÌÂÚÈÓfi ¶·Û·ÏÈÌ¿ÓÈ) 196. ∆Ô ÙÂÏÂ˘Ù·›Ô, Ë ∑¤·, ‹Ù·Ó Î·È Ô Î˘Ú›ˆ˜ ÔÏÂÌÈÎfi˜ Ó·‡ÛÙ·ıÌÔ˜ Ù˘ ·ıËÓ·˚΋˜ ‰ËÌÔ-
ÎÚ·Ù›·˜. §Â›„·Ó· ÙˆÓ ÓˆÛÔ›ÎˆÓ ¤¯Ô˘Ó ‚ÚÂı› Î·È ÛÙ· ÙÚ›· ÂÈÚ·˚ο ÏÈÌ¿ÓÈ·, fï˜ ηχÙÂÚ· Ûˆ˙fiÌÂÓ· Â›Ó·È ÂΛӷ Ù˘ ∑¤·˜.

8. Model of neosoikoi (boathouses). Scale: 1/100. Made by P. Asimakis. Supervised by Ioannis Meletopoulos. Collection No: 54
The neosoikoi were buildings in which the triremes were kept and maintained when they were not in action. They were built at the
edge of the harbour shore. They had a sloping ramp, either built on, or carved into the rock, which extended into the sea, in order to
facilitate haulage of the ships onto the shore. This slipway had a groove in the middle to accommodate the vessel's keel. On either
side of the slipway there was a colonnade of unfluted stone columns that supported the adjacent span of wooden roofs. The row of
neosoikoi ended on the land side, against a long stone wall that ran vertical to the colonnades.
In every neosoikos, the part of the flooring on dry land was about 40 m. long and 6.5 m. wide. From epigraphical evidence it is known
that during 330/329 B.C., in the three natural harbours of the Piraeus peninsula there were a total of 372 neosoikoi. In Kantharos
(today's main harbour) there were 94, in Mounichia (today's Mikrolimano) 82 and in Zea (today's Pasalimani) there were 196. The
latter harbour, Zea, was also the main naval base of the Athenian Republic. Remains of the neosoikoi have been found in all three
harbours, the best preserved, however, are those in Zea harbour.

31
 9

9. O͢‡ıÌÂÓÔÈ ·ÌÊÔÚ›˜. ¶ËÏfi˜. ∞Ú. ™˘ÏÏÔ-

Á‹˜: 2.303, 95, 2.289, 79, 2.302
∫·Ù¿ ÙËÓ ·Ú¯·ÈfiÙËÙ· ·˘Ùfi˜ Ô Ù‡Ô˜ ·ÔıË-
΢ÙÈÎÔ‡ ·ÌÊÔÚ¤· ¯ÚËÛÈÌÔÔÈÔ‡Ù·Ó ÁÈ· ÙË
ÌÂÙ·ÊÔÚ¿ ˘ÁÚÒÓ ÚÔ˚fiÓÙˆÓ, Ï¿‰È Î·È ÎÚ·Û›
΢ڛˆ˜. ∆Ô Ì˘ÙÂÚfi (Ô͇) Û¯‹Ì· Ù˘ ‚¿Û˘
ÙÔ˘˜ ¯ÚË̢ۛ ˆ˜ ÙÚ›ÙË Ï·‚‹ ÁÈ· ÙÔ ¿‰ÂÈ·ÛÌ·
ÙÔ˘ ˘ÁÚÔ‡ ÂÚȯÔ̤ÓÔ˘ ÙÔ˘˜, ·ÏÏ¿ Â›Û˘
Û¯ÂÙÈ˙fiÙ·Ó Î·È Ì ÙÔÓ ÙÚfiÔ ÊfiÚÙˆÛ‹˜ ÙÔ˘˜
ÛÙ· ÂÌÔÚÈο ηڿ‚È·. °¤ÌÈ˙·Ó Ù· ·Ì¿ÚÈ· ÌÂ
·¯‡ ÛÙÚÒÌ· ·fi ¯fiÚÙÔ ‹ ¿ÌÌÔ, ̤۷ ÛÙÔ
ÔÔ›Ô ¤ÌËÁ·Ó ÙÔ˘˜ Ô͢‡ıÌÂÓÔ˘˜ ·ÌÊÔÚ›˜.
™ÙË Û˘Ó¤¯ÂÈ·, ÛÙÔÓ ÎÂÓfi ¯ÒÚÔ Ô˘ ‰ËÌÈÔ˘Ú-
ÁÔ‡Ù·Ó ÌÂٷ͇ ÌÈ·˜ ÙÂÙÚ¿‰·˜ ·ÌÊÔÚ¤ˆÓ,
¤Ì·ÈÓ·Ó ÔÈ ‚¿ÛÂȘ ÌÈ·˜ ·Ú·¿Óˆ ÛÂÈÚ¿˜ ηÈ
Ô‡Ùˆ ηıÂÍ‹˜ ̤¯ÚÈ ÙÔ Â›Â‰Ô ÙÔ˘ ηٷÛÙÚÒ-
Ì·ÙÔ˜.
∫¿ı ÂÔ¯‹ ·ÏÏ¿ Î·È Î¿ı ÂÚÈÔ¯‹ ηٷÛ··-
˙ ÙÔÓ ‰ÈÎfi Ù˘ Ù‡Ô ·ÌÊÔÚ¤·. ∫·ıÒ˜ ÔÈ
·ÌÊÔÚ›˜ Â›Ó·È Ù· ÈÔ Û˘ÓËıÈṲ̂ӷ Â˘Ú‹Ì·Ù·
ÛÙÔ˘˜ ‚˘ıÔ‡˜ ÙˆÓ ı·Ï·ÛÛÒÓ, Ô˘ ÂÈÛËÌ·›-
ÓÔ˘Ó ÙÔ ¤Ú·ÛÌ· ‹ Ó·˘¿ÁÈÔ Î¿ÔÈÔ˘ ·Ú¯·›Ô˘
ÂÌÔÚÈÎÔ‡ ÏÔ›Ô˘, ·ÔÙÂÏÔ‡Ó ÛËÌ·ÓÙÈÎfiٷٷ
ÙÂÎÌ‹ÚÈ· ÁÈ· ÙËÓ ¯ÚÔÓÔÏfiÁËÛË Î·È ÂÈÛ‹Ì·ÓÛË
ÙˆÓ ı·Ï·ÛÛ›ˆÓ ÂÌÔÚÈÎÒÓ ‰ÚfiÌˆÓ ·ÏÏ¿ ηÈ
ÙÔ˘ ›‰Ô˘˜ ÙˆÓ ÂÌÔÚÈÎÒÓ ·ÓÙ·ÏÏ·ÁÒÓ.

9. Pointed amphorae. Clay. Collection Nos: 2,303, 95, 2,289, 79, 2,302
In antiquity, this type of storage amphorae was used to transport liquid products, mainly oil and wine. The pointed shape of their
bottom was used as a third handhold to empty their liquid contents but was also related to the way they were stowed on board
merchant vessels. They would fill the holds with a thick layer of grass or sand into which the pointed bottoms of the amphorae were
stuck in. Then, in the empty spaces created between amphorae, the second level was placed and so on, up to deck level. Each
period and each region produced its own type of amphorae. Since amphorae are the most common findings in the sea, marking
crossings or wrecks of ancient merchant vessels, they provide significant evidence for dating and identifying trade routes and types of
commercial exchanges.

32
10

10. ∆ÚÂȘ ·fi ÙȘ ‰ÂηÔÎÙÒ ˘Ú·ÌÂȉÔÂȉ›˜ ¤ÙÚÈÓ˜ ¿Á΢Ú˜ Ô˘ ·ÓÂÏ-
·ÛıËÎ·Ó ·fi ÙÔ ‚˘ıfi ÙÔ˘ ÏÈÌ·ÓÈÔ‡ Ù˘ ∑¤·˜. ŒÍÈ ·fi ·˘Ù¤˜ Ê˘Ï¿ÛÛÔ-
ÓÙ·È ÛÙÔ ¡·˘ÙÈÎfi ªÔ˘ÛÂ›Ô Ù˘ ∂ÏÏ¿‰Ô˜ Î·È ÔÈ ˘fiÏÔÈ˜ ÛÙÔ ∞Ú¯·ÈÔÏÔÁÈ-
Îfi ªÔ˘ÛÂ›Ô ÙÔ˘ ¶ÂÈÚ·È¿. ÃÚÔÓÔÏÔÁÔ‡ÓÙ·È ÛÙÔÓ 5Ô- 4Ô ·ÈÒÓ· .Ã.
∞Ú. ™˘ÏÏÔÁ‹˜: 113, 51, 96

10. Three, out of eighteen pyramidal stone anchors, raised from the bottom
of Zea harbour. Six of them are preserved in the Hellenic Maritime Museum
and the others in the Piraeus Archaeological Museum. They are dated from
5th - 4th century B.C.
Collection Nos: 113, 51, 96

33
 11

11. OÌÔ›ˆÌ· ÂÏÏËÓÈÎÔ‡ ÂÌÔÚÈÎÔ‡ ÏÔ›Ô˘ ÙÔ˘ 4Ô˘ ·È. .Ã. ∫·Ù·Û΢‹: °. ƒ¿ÏÏ˘. ∞Ú. ™˘ÏÏÔÁ‹˜: 91
∆· ÂÌÔÚÈο ÏÔ›· Ù˘ ·Ú¯·ÈfiÙËÙ·˜ ‹Ù·Ó ÔÏÏÒÓ Î·È ‰È·ÊfiÚˆÓ Ù‡ˆÓ. ∏ ηٷÛ΢‹ ÙÔ˘ ·ÚfiÓÙÔ˜ ÔÌÔÈÒÌ·ÙÔ˜ ‚·Û›ÛÙËΠÛÙÔ Ó·˘¿-
ÁÈÔ ÙÔ˘ ÏÔ›Ô˘ Ô˘ ·Ó·Î·Ï‡ÊıËΠÛÙËÓ ∫˘Ú‹ÓÂÈ· Ù˘ ∫‡ÚÔ˘ ÙÔ 1967. ∆Ô ÛËÌ·ÓÙÈÎfi ÛÙÔÈ¯Â›Ô Û ·˘Ùfi ÙÔ Ó·˘¿ÁÈÔ Â›Ó·È fiÙÈ ‰È·ÙËÚ‹-
ıËΠ۠Ôχ ηϋ ηٿÛÙ·ÛË ÙÔ Í‡ÏÔ ÙÔ˘ ÛηÚÈÔ‡ Û ÔÛÔÛÙfi 75%. ∞Ó·Û‡ÚıËΠ·fi ÙÔ ‚˘ıfi ÎÔÌÌ¿ÙÈ ÎÔÌÌ¿ÙÈ Î·È Û˘Ó·ÚÌÔÏÔÁ‹-
ıËΠÛÙÔ ÌÂ۷ȈÓÈÎfi οÛÙÚÔ Ù˘ ∫˘Ú‹ÓÂÈ·˜ Ù˘ ∫‡ÚÔ˘. ¶ÚfiÎÂÈÙ·È ÁÈ· ÏÔ›Ô Ì‹ÎÔ˘˜ 15 ̤ÙÚˆÓ, Ô˘ ÌÂÙ¤ÊÂÚ ÊÔÚÙ›Ô 30 ÙfiÓˆÓ: 403
·ÌÊÔÚ›˜ Ì ÎÚ·Û›, Û·ÎÈ¿ Ì ·Ì‡Á‰·Ï· Î·È 29 Ì˘ÏfiÂÙÚ˜. ∂›¯Â ηٷÛ΢·ÛÙ› ·fi ͇ÏÔ ‡ÎÔ˘ ηٿ ÙËÓ ·Ú¯·›· ÂÏÏËÓÈ΋ Ó·˘ËÁÈ-
΋ Ù¯ÓÈ΋, Û‡Ìʈӷ Ì ÙËÓ ÔÔ›· ÊÙÈ·¯ÓfiÙ·Ó ÚÒÙ· ÙÔ ¤Ùۈ̷. ∫·Ù¿ÛÙڈ̷ ˘‹Ú¯Â ÛÙËÓ ÂÚÈÔ¯‹ Ù˘ Ú‡ÌÓ˘, fiÔ˘ ‚Ú›ÛÎÔÓÙ·Ó
Ù· ‰‡Ô ÌÂÁ¿Ï· ˉ¿ÏÈ· Î·È Ù˘ ÏÒÚ˘, fiÔ˘ ‹Ù·Ó ÔÈ ı¤ÛÂȘ ÁÈ· ÙȘ ¿Á΢Ú˜. ¢È¤ıÂÙ Â›Û˘ ¤Ó·Ó ÈÛÙfi Î·È ÙÂÙÚ¿ÁˆÓÔ ·Ó›. ∞fi ÙËÓ
¯ÚÔÓÔÏfiÁËÛË Ù˘ ͢Ï›·˜ Ê·›ÓÂÙ·È ˆ˜ ÙÔ ÏÔ›Ô ‹Ù·Ó ‹‰Ë 80 ¯ÚfiÓˆÓ fiÙ·Ó ‚˘ı›ÛÙËÎÂ. ∞fi ÙÔ˘˜ ÚԉȷÎÔ‡˜ ·ÌÊÔÚ›˜ Ô˘ ÌÂÙ¤ÊÂÚÂ
Î·È ¤Ó· ÓfiÌÈÛÌ· Ô˘ ‚Ú¤ıËÎ·Ó Û ·˘Ùfi, ÙÔ Ó·˘¿ÁÈÔ ¯ÚÔÓÔÏÔÁ‹ıËΠÁ‡Úˆ ÛÙÔ 303 .Ã. ∆· Â˘Ú‹Ì·Ù· Ù˘ ·Ó·Ûηʋ˜ ¤‰ˆÛ·Ó Â›Û˘
ÛÙÔȯ›· Î·È ÁÈ· ÙÔÓ ·ÚÈıÌfi ÙÔ˘ ÏËÚÒÌ·ÙÔ˜. µÚ¤ıËÎ·Ó Ù¤ÛÛÂÚ· ·ÂÏÏ· Î·È ÈÛ¿ÚÈıÌ· ÎÔ˘Ù¿ÏÈ·, ÈÓ¿ÎÈ· Î·È ÔÈÓÔ¯fi˜. º·›ÓÂÙ·È ˆ˜
Ô Î·ÂÙ¿ÓÈÔ˜ ÙÔ˘ ·Ú¯·›Ô˘ ÏÔ›Ô˘ ›¯Â ÙÔ˘Ï¿¯ÈÛÙÔÓ ¿ÏÏÔ˘˜ ÙÚ›˜ Û˘ÓÙÚfiÊÔ˘˜.

11. Model of a Hellenic merchant ship of the 4th century B.C. Made by G. Rallis. Collection No: 91
The ancient merchant ships were of many and various types. The building of this model was based on the wreck of a vessel
discovered off Kyrenia, Cyprus, in 1967. The important thing about this shipwreck was that 75% of the hull's timber was preserved in a
very good condition. It was raised from the seabed, piece by piece, and assembled in Kyrenia Castle, Cyprus. The ship measures 15
metres in length and was carrying 30 tons of cargo, 403 wine amphorae, sacks of almonds and 29 millstones. It had been built from
pinewood using the ancient Hellenic boatbuilding technique known as shell first. The ship had a deck in the stern area which held the
two large steering oars and in the bow where the anchors were kept. The ship had one mast and a square sail. When the timber was
dated it was found that the ship was already 80 years old when she sank. From the Rhodian amphorae she was carrying and a coin
found on board, the wreck was dated to around 303 B.C. Findings from the excavation also revealed details about the number of
crew. Four cups and an equal number of spoons were found, along with dishes and wine jugs. It appears that the master of the
ancient ship had at least three other companions.

34
T·Í›‰È· ÛÙȘ ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓ¤˜ ı¿Ï·ÛÛ˜.
Voyages in the byzantine seas.
 ∆·Í›‰È· ÛÙȘ ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓ¤˜ ı¿Ï·ÛÛ˜.
Voyages in the byzantine seas.
To Ó·˘ÙÈÎfi ÙˆÓ ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓÒÓ.
O ÚfiÏÔ˜ ÙÔ˘ ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓÔ‡ ÔÏÂÌÈÎÔ‡ Ó·˘ÙÈÎÔ‡ ‹Ù·Ó
ÂÚÈÔÚÈṲ̂ÓÔ˜ ηٿ ÙÔ˘˜ ÚÒÙÔ˘˜ ·ÈÒÓ˜ Ù˘ ·˘ÙÔÎÚ·-
ÙÔÚ›·˜ Î·È ÙÔ Ó·˘ÙÈÎfi ηÙ›¯Â ÌÈÎÚ‹ ı¤ÛË ÛÙÔ ÛÙÚ·ÙȈÙÈ-
Îfi ÚfiÁÚ·ÌÌ· ÙˆÓ ·˘ÙÔÎÚ·ÙfiÚˆÓ. ÷ڷÎÙËÚÈÛÙÈÎfi
Â›Ó·È fiÙÈ ‰ÂÓ ˘‹Ú¯Â ·˘ÙÔÙÂÏ‹˜ Ó·˘ÙÈ΋ ‰ÈÔ›ÎËÛË Î·È Ô
ÛÙfiÏÔ˜ ˘·ÁfiÙ·Ó ÛÙȘ ¿ÌÂÛ˜ ‰È·Ù·Á¤˜ ÙÔ˘ ·Ú¯ËÁÔ‡
ÙÔ˘ ÛÙÚ·ÙÔ‡.
∏ ÂÍ¿ψÛË, ˆÛÙfiÛÔ, ÙˆÓ ∞Ú¿‚ˆÓ ÛÙË ÓÔÙÈ·Ó·ÙÔÏÈ΋
ªÂÛfiÁÂÈÔ ÛÙ· Ù¤ÏË ÙÔ˘ 7Ô˘ ·È. ¤ıÂÛ ˘fi ·ÌÊÈÛ‚‹ÙËÛË
ÙË ı·Ï·ÛÛÔÎÚ·ÙÔÚ›· ÙˆÓ µ˘˙·ÓÙÈÓÒÓ Î·È ·Ó¿ÁηÛÂ
ÙÔ˘˜ ·˘ÙÔÎÚ¿ÙÔÚ˜ Ó· ÛÙÚ¤„Ô˘Ó ÙÔ ÂӉȷʤÚÔÓ ÙÔ˘˜
ÛÙË ı¿Ï·ÛÛ· Î·È ÛÙÔ Ó·˘ÙÈÎfi. ™˘ÁÎÚÔÙ‹ıËÎÂ, ÏÔÈfiÓ,
ÌÈ· ÂÓÈ·›· Ó·˘ÙÈ΋ ‰ÈÔ›ÎËÛË ˘fi ÙÔÓ ÛÙÚ·ÙËÁfi ÙˆÓ
∫·Ú·‚ËÛÈ¿ÓˆÓ, fiˆ˜ ÔÓÔÌ·˙fiÙ·Ó Ô ‰ÈÔÈÎËÙ‹˜ ÙÔ˘ ÛÙfi-
ÏÔ˘.
∆ÔÓ 8Ô ·È. ÙÔ Ó·˘ÙÈÎfi ·Ó·‰ÈÔÚÁ·ÓÒıËÎÂ. O ·˘ÙÔÎÚ¿ÙÔ-
Ú·˜ §¤ˆÓ Ô °’ Ô ÿÛ·˘ÚÔ˜ (717-741) ÛÙԯ‡ÔÓÙ·˜ ÛÙË
‰ÈÔÈÎËÙÈ΋ ·ÔΤÓÙÚˆÛË Ù˘ Ó·˘ÙÈ΋˜ ÈÛ¯‡Ô˜ ÙÔ˘ µ˘˙·-
ÓÙ›Ô˘, ‰È¤Ï˘Û ÙË Ó·˘ÙÈ΋ ‰ÈÔ›ÎËÛË ÙˆÓ ∫·Ú·‚ËÛÈ¿ÓˆÓ
Î·È ÔÚÁ¿ÓˆÛ ÙÔ ÛÙfiÏÔ ˆ˜ ̤ÚÔ˜ ÙÔ˘ Û˘ÛÙ‹Ì·ÙÔ˜ ÙˆÓ
ıÂÌ¿ÙˆÓ, ÙˆÓ ÌÂÁ¿ÏˆÓ ÁˆÁÚ·ÊÈÎÒÓ Î·È ‰ÈÔÈÎËÙÈÎÒÓ
ÂÚÈÊÂÚÂÈÒÓ. ŒÙÛÈ, ·fi ÙÔ ÚÒÙÔ ‹ÌÈÛ˘ ÙÔ˘ 8Ô˘ ·È.
̤¯ÚÈ ÙÔ Ù¤ÏÔ˜ ÙÔ˘ 11Ô˘ ·È. Ô ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓfi˜ ÛÙfiÏÔ˜ ·ÚÔ˘-
ÛÈ¿˙ÂÙ·È Ì ÙËÓ ÂÍ‹˜ ÔÚÁ¿ÓˆÛË:
ñ O ıÂÌ·ÙÈÎfi˜ ÛÙfiÏÔ˜ Ô˘ Ó·˘ÏÔ¯Ô‡Û ÛÙ· ·ÌÈÁÒ˜ Ó·˘-
ÙÈο ı¤Ì·Ù· Î·È ÛÙ· ËÂÈÚˆÙÈο Ì ÂÎÙÂٷ̤ӷ ·Ú¿ÏÈ·.
∆· ΢ÚÈfiÙÂÚ· Ó·˘ÙÈο ı¤Ì·Ù· ‹Ù·Ó ÙˆÓ ∫È‚˘ÚڷȈÙÒÓ,
ÛÙ· ÓfiÙÈ· ·Ú¿ÏÈ· Ù˘ ª. ∞Û›·˜, ÙÔ˘ ∞ÈÁ·›Ô˘ ¶ÂÏ¿ÁÔ˘˜,
Ù˘ ™¿ÌÔ˘ Î·È Ù˘ ∫ÂÊ·ÏÏËÓ›·˜. ∏ ‰ÈÔ›ÎËÛË ÙˆÓ Ó·˘ÙÈ-
ÎÒÓ ‰˘Ó¿ÌÂˆÓ ·ÛΛÙÔ ·fi ÙÔ˘˜ ÛÙÚ·ÙËÁÔ‡˜ Î·È ÙÔ˘˜
‰ÚÔ˘ÁÁ¿ÚÈÔ˘˜ ÙˆÓ ıÂÌ¿ÙˆÓ.
ñ ∆Ô ‚·ÛÈÏÈÎfi ÏÒÈÌÔÓ ‹ ÏÒÈÌÔÓ, (ÌËÙÚÔÔÏÈÎfi˜ ÛÙfi-
ÏÔ˜). ◊Ù·Ó ·Á΢ÚÔ‚ÔÏË̤ÓÔ˜ ÛÙË µ·ÛÈÏÂ‡Ô˘Û· Î·È ÛÂ
ÔÚÈṲ̂ӷ ÛÙÚ·ÙËÁÈο ÛËÌ›· Ô˘ ‹ÏÂÁ¯·Ó ÙȘ ‰ÈÂıÓ›˜
ı·Ï¿ÛÛȘ ÁÚ·Ì̤˜ ÂÈÎÔÈÓˆÓÈÒÓ. ∞Ó·Ï¿Ì‚·Ó ̷ÎÚÈÓ¤˜
·ÔÛÙÔϤ˜ ¿Ì˘Ó·˜ Ù˘ ·˘ÙÔÎÚ·ÙÔÚ›·˜ Î·È ‰ÈÔÈÎËÙ‹˜
ÙÔ˘ ‹Ù·Ó Ô ‰ÚÔ˘ÁÁ¿ÚÈÔ˜ ÙÔ˘ ψ›ÌÔ˘.
¶·Ú¿ÏÏËÏ· ˘‹Ú¯·Ó Î·È ÂÏ·ÊÚ¤˜ Ó·˘ÙÈΤ˜ ÌÔÓ¿‰Â˜ Ô˘
ÛÙ¿ıÌ¢·Ó Û ·ÂÈÏÔ‡ÌÂÓ· ÛËÌ›· ÁÈ· ÙËÓ ¿Ì˘Ó· Ù˘
·˘ÙÔÎÚ·ÙÔÚ›·˜ Î·È ˘¿ÁÔÓÙ·Ó ‰ÈÔÈÎËÙÈο ÛÙȘ ÙÔÈΤ˜
·Ú¯¤˜ ÙˆÓ ÂÚÈÔ¯ÒÓ, ÛÙȘ Ôԛ˜ ·Á΢ÚÔ‚ÔÏÔ‡Û·Ó. ∞Ó
Î·È Â›¯·Ó ΢ڛˆ˜ ·ÛÙ˘ÓÔÌÈο ηı‹ÎÔÓÙ·, ·Ú¿ÏÏËÏ·,
ÂÓ›Û¯˘·Ó ÙÔ ıÂÌ·ÙÈÎfi Î·È ÙÔ ÌËÙÚÔÔÏÈÙÈÎfi ÛÙfiÏÔ fiÔÙÂ
·˘Ùfi ÎÚÈÓfiÙ·Ó ·Ó·Áη›Ô.
36
The Byzantine navy.
The Byzantine navy played a limited role during the first
centuries of the empire and it held a minor position in the
military plan of the emperors. It is characteristic, that there
was no independent naval command and the fleet was
under the direct orders of the commander of the army.
The Arab spreading in the southeastern Mediterranean, at
the end of the 7th century, however, challenged the naval
supremacy of the Byzantines and forced the emperors to
direct their attention to the sea and the navy. A unified
naval command was formed under the orders of the
Stratigos ton Karavisianon (General of the sea-farers), as
the Naval Commander was called.
During the 8th century, the navy was re-organized.
Emperor Leon the Third, the Isaurian (717-741), aiming at
the administrative decentralization of the Byzantine naval
forces, dissolved the naval command of the Karavisianoi,
and organized the fleet as a part of the themata system.
The themata were major geographical and administrative
regions of the Byzantium. Thus, from the first half of the
8th century until the end of the 11th, the Byzantine navy
had the following organization:
ñ The thematikos fleet which was based in the purely
marine themata and the mainland ones with extended
coastlines. The major marine themata were the
Cibyrrhaeots (south coast of Asia Minor), the Aegean Sea,
Samos and Cefalonia. The naval forces were commanded
by the generals and the Drungarius' (leaders) of the
themata.
ñ The vasiliko ploimon or ploimon, (metropolitan fleet). It
was based in Constantinople and other strategic points
that controlled the international sea routes. It would
undertake long range defensive missions for the empire
and its commander was Drungarius of the ploimon.
At the same time, there were also lighter naval units that
were based in threatened areas, for the defense of the
empire, and administratively, would obey to the local
authorities in the areas where they were based. Even
though they mostly had police duties, they would
reinforce the thematikos and the metropolitan fleet,
whenever this was considered necessary.
OÈ Ù‡ÔÈ ÙˆÓ ÏÔ›ˆÓ Ô˘ Û˘ÁÎÚÔÙÔ‡Û·Ó ÙÔ ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓfi
ÛÙfiÏÔ Û‡Ìʈӷ Ì ÙȘ ÁÚ·Ù¤˜ ËÁ¤˜ ‹Ù·Ó ÔÈ
‰ÚfïÓ˜, Ù· ¯ÂϿӉȷ, ÔÈ ¿ÌÊ˘ÏÔÈ, Ù· Ô˘Ûȷο, Ù·
‰ÚÔÌÒÓÈ· Î·È ÔÈ Á·Ï¤·È.
OÈ ‰ÚfïÓ˜ ‹Ù·Ó Ù· ηÙÂÍÔ¯‹Ó ÔÏÂÌÈο ÏÔ›· ÙÔ˘
‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓÔ‡ ÛÙfiÏÔ˘, Ù· ÔÔ›· ‰È¤ÊÂÚ·Ó Û˘¯Ó¿ ˆ˜ ÚÔ˜
ÙÔÓ Ù‡Ô Î·È ÙȘ ‰È·ÛÙ¿ÛÂȘ ÙÔ˘˜. ∆ÔÓ 10Ô ·È. Ù· ÊÈÏÔÏÔ-
ÁÈο ΛÌÂÓ· οÓÔ˘Ó ÏfiÁÔ ÁÈ· ‚·ÚÈ¿ ÂÍÔÏÈṲ̂ӷ ÏÔ›·,
Ôχ ÌÂÁ¿Ï˘ ¯ˆÚËÙÈÎfiÙËÙ·˜ ÂÓÒ ÙÔ ϋڈ̿ ÙÔ˘˜
¤Êı·Ó ˆ˜ Î·È ÙÔ˘˜ 300 ¿Ó‰Ú˜, fiÏÔ˘˜ ÂχıÂÚÔ˘˜
Ôϛ٘.
∆Ô Î˘ÚÈfiÙÂÚÔ fiÏÔ ÙˆÓ ‰ÚÔÌÒÓˆÓ ‹Ù·Ó ÙÔ ˘ÁÚfiÓ ˘Ú.
ªÂ›ÁÌ·, Èı·Ófiٷٷ, ı›Ԣ, Ó›ÙÚÔ˘, Ó¿Êı·˜ Î·È ¿ÏψÓ
¢ÊϤÎÙˆÓ Ô˘ÛÈÒÓ ÙÔ ˘ÁÚfiÓ ˘Ú ¤·ÈÍ ηıÔÚÈÛÙÈÎfi
ÚfiÏÔ ÛÙËÓ ¤Î‚·ÛË ÙˆÓ ÔÏÂÌÈÎÒÓ Ó·˘ÙÈÎÒÓ ÂȯÂÈÚ‹ÛÂ-
ˆÓ Ù˘ ·˘ÙÔÎÚ·ÙÔÚ›·˜. ◊‰Ë, ·fi ÙÔÓ 7Ô ·È. ¯ÚËÛÈÌÔÔÈ-
‹ıËΠ̠ÌÂÁ¿ÏË ÂÈÙ˘¯›· ÛÙËÓ ÚÒÙË ÔÏÈÔÚΛ· Ù˘
∫ˆÓÛÙ·ÓÙÈÓÔ‡ÔÏ˘ ·fi ÙÔ˘˜ ÕÚ·‚˜ (674-678). ∏ Û‡Ó-
ıÂÛ‹ ÙÔ˘ ·ÔÙÂÏÔ‡ÛÂ, Èı·Ófiٷٷ, ÂÍÂÏÈÁ̤ÓË ÌÔÚÊ‹
·Ï·ÈÔÙ¤ÚˆÓ ¯ËÌÈÎÒÓ ÂÓÒÛÂˆÓ Î·È ·Ô‰›‰ÂÙ·È ÛÙÔÓ
∫·ÏÏ›ÓÈÎÔ, ŒÏÏËÓ· Ì˯·ÓÈÎfi ·fi ÙËÓ ∏ÏÈÔ‡ÔÏË Ù˘
™˘Ú›·˜ (7Ô˜ ·È.) ÂÓÒ ·Ú¤ÌÂÈÓÂ Ì˘ÛÙÈ΋ ˆ˜ ÙÔÓ 9Ô ·È.,
ÔfiÙ ÙÔ ·Ó·Î¿Ï˘„·Ó ÔÈ ÕÚ·‚˜.
∆ÔÓ ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓfi ÛÙfiÏÔ Û˘Ófi‰Â˘·Ó, Â›Û˘, ÌÂÙ·ÁˆÁÈο
ÏÔ›· - ηڿ‚È· η̷ÙËÚ¿ - ÁÈ· ÙȘ ·Ó¿ÁΘ ÂÊԉȷÛÌÔ‡
ÙÔ˘. ∆· ΢ÚÈfiÙÂÚ· ‹Ù·Ó Ù· È·ÁˆÁ¿ Î·È Ù· Û΢ÔÊfiÚ·
Ô˘ ÌÂÙ¤ÊÂÚ·Ó ÙȘ ÔÏÈÔÚÎËÙÈΤ˜ Ì˯·Ó¤˜.
∆ÔÓ 10Ô ·È. ÙÔ Ó·˘ÙÈÎfi ÙˆÓ µ˘˙·ÓÙÈÓÒÓ ¤Êı·Û ÛÙÔ ·ÓÒ-
Ù·ÙÔ ÛËÌÂ›Ô ·ÎÌ‹˜ ÙÔ˘. ÷ڷÎÙËÚÈÛÙÈÎfi Â›Ó·È fiÙÈ Ì ÙËÓ
˘ÔÛÙ‹ÚÈÍ‹ ÙÔ˘ ¤ÁÈÓ ‰˘Ó·Ù‹ Ë ·Ó·Î·Ù¿ÏË„Ë Ù˘ ∫Ú‹-
Ù˘ (961) Î·È Ù˘ ∫‡ÚÔ˘ (965), ̤ۈ ÙˆÓ ÔÔ›ˆÓ ·Ô-
ηٷÛÙ¿ıËÎÂ Ë ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓ‹ ΢ÚÈ·Ú¯›· ÛÙËÓ ·Ó·ÙÔÏÈ΋
ªÂÛfiÁÂÈÔ.
™Ù· ̤۷ ÙÔ˘ ÂfiÌÂÓÔ˘ ·ÈÒÓ· ÔÈ Ó·˘ÙÈΤ˜ ‰˘Ó¿ÌÂȘ ÙÔ˘
µ˘˙·ÓÙ›Ô˘ ¿Ú¯ÈÛ·Ó Ó· ·Ú·ÎÌ¿˙Ô˘Ó ˆ˜ ·ÔÙ¤ÏÂÛÌ·
ÁÂÓÈÎfiÙÂÚˆÓ ÈÛÙÔÚÈÎÒÓ Û˘ÓıËÎÒÓ. ∏ ‹ÙÙ· ÙˆÓ µ˘˙·ÓÙÈ-
ÓÒÓ ·fi ÙÔ˘˜ ∆Ô‡ÚÎÔ˘˜ ÙÔ 1071 ÛÙÔ ª·ÓÙ˙ÈΤÚÙ, ÎÔÓÙ¿
ÛÙË Ï›ÌÓË µ·Ó Ù˘ ∞ÚÌÂÓ›·˜, ‹Ù·Ó ÔϤıÚÈ· ÁÈ· ÙË
΢ÚÈ·Ú¯›· ÙÔ˘ µ˘˙·ÓÙ›Ô˘ ÛÙË ªÈÎÚ¿ ∞Û›·, ÙÔ ÛËÌ·ÓÙÈÎfi-
ÙÂÚÔ ÙÌ‹Ì· ÙÔ˘ ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓÔ‡ ÎÚ¿ÙÔ˘˜. OÈ ∆Ô‡ÚÎÔÈ ¿Ú¯È-
Û·Ó ÛÙ·‰È·Î¿ Ó· ·ÔÎfiÙÔ˘Ó fiÏË ÙË ªÈÎÚ¿ ∞Û›· ·fi
ÙËÓ ·˘ÙÔÎÚ·ÙÔÚ›· Î·È ÔÈ ıÂÌ·ÙÈÎÔ› ÛÙfiÏÔÈ ¤¯·Û·Ó ÙȘ
‚¿ÛÂȘ ÙÔ˘˜ Î·È ¤·„·Ó Ó· ˘¿Ú¯Ô˘Ó.
∫·Ù¿ ÙËÓ ¿ÓÔ‰Ô ÙˆÓ ∫ÔÌÓËÓÒÓ ÛÙËÓ ÂÍÔ˘Û›· ÙÔ ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈ-
Ófi Ó·˘ÙÈÎfi ‹Ù·Ó ·Ó‡·ÚÎÙÔ. O ·˘ÙÔÎÚ¿ÙÔÚ·˜ ∞ϤÍÈÔ˜
∞’ ∫ÔÌÓËÓfi˜ (1081-1118) ¤¯ÔÓÙ·˜ ·‰˘Ó·Ì›· Ó· ·ÓÙÈÌÂ-
Ùˆ›ÛÂÈ ÙÔÓ ÂÈΛÌÂÓÔ ÓÔÚÌ·Ó‰ÈÎfi ΛӉ˘ÓÔ ·Ó·ÁοÛÙËÎÂ
Ó· ÛÙÚ·Ê› ÛÙÔ˘˜ ∂ÓÂÙÔ‡˜ Î·È Ó· ˙ËÙ‹ÛÂÈ ÙË ‚Ô‹ıÂÈ·
ÙÔ˘ Ó·˘ÙÈÎÔ‡ ÙÔ˘˜, ¤Ó·ÓÙÈ ÂÌÔÚÈÎÒÓ ·ÓÙ·ÏÏ·ÁÌ¿ÙˆÓ
Ô˘ ÛÙË Û˘Ó¤¯ÂÈ·, ˆÛÙfiÛÔ, ·¤‚ËÛ·Ó ÌÔÈÚ·›· ÁÈ· ÙËÓ
·˘ÙÔÎÚ·ÙÔÚ›·. ∆· ÂfiÌÂÓ· ¯ÚfiÓÈ· ÙÔ Ó·˘ÙÈÎfi ‚ÂÏÙÈÒıË-
ÎÂ Î·È ÛËÌ›ˆÛ ÔÚÈṲ̂Ó˜ ·ÍÈfiÏÔÁ˜ ÂÈÙ˘¯›Â˜, ‰È¿ÊÔ-
ÚÔÈ fï˜ Û˘Ó‰˘·˙fiÌÂÓÔÈ ·Ú¿ÁÔÓÙ˜ ‰ÂÓ ÙÔ˘ Â¤ÙÚÂ-
37
The ship types that formed up the Byzantine fleet,
according to written sources, were dromons, chelandia,
pamfilos, ousiaka, smaller dromons and galleys.
The dromons were the principal war ships of the Byzantine
fleet, which often differed in type and dimensions. In the
10th century, literary texts describe them as heavily armed
ships of large capacity, with a crew reaching 300 men, all
free citizens.
The main weapon of the dromons was the liquid fire. It was
probably a mixture of sulfur, nitrate salts, naphtha and
other inflammable substances, and played a decisive role
in the outcome of the empire's naval operations. By the
7th century, it had already been used, with great success,
in the first siege of Constantinople by the Arabs (674-678).
Its composition was probably a developed form of older
chemical combinations attributed to Kallinikos, a Hellene
engineer from Heliopolis of Syria (7th century), and
remained secret until the 9th century, when it was
discovered by the Arabs.
The Byzantine fleet was also followed by transport ships -
kamatira- for its supply requirements. The main ones were
the ippagoga (horse carriers) and the skevofora which
carried the seizing machinery.
During the 10th century, the Byzantine navy was at its
peak. It is characteristic that, with its support, the re-
seizure of Crete (961) and of Cyprus (965), were made
possible after which, Byzantine supremacy in the eastern
Mediterranean was reinstated.
By the middle of the next century, however, the Byzantine
naval strength started to decline as a result of greater
historical circumstances. The Byzantines' defeat by the
Turks in Manzikert, near Lake Van of Armenia, in 1071,
was disastrous for the Byzantine supremacy in Asia Minor,
which was the most prominent of all Byzantine provinces.
The Turks gradually started to cut off Asia Minor from the
empire and the thematikos fleets lost their bases and
ceased to exist.
With the rise of the Comnenos dynasty to power, the
Byzantine navy was non-existent. The emperor Alexios I
Comnenos (1081-1118), too weak to face the imminent
danger by the Normans, was forced to turn to the
Venetians and request their naval assistance in return for
commercial concessions. This, however, proved fateful
later for the empire. During the following years, the navy
was improved and achieved several notable attainments,
however, various combined factors did not allow its
strengthening to the point that its declining course could
„·Ó Ó· ÈÛ¯˘ÚÔÔÈËı› ÙfiÛÔ ÒÛÙ ӷ ·Ó·ÎÔ› Ë ÔÚ›·
ÙÔ˘ ÚÔ˜ ÙËÓ ·Ú·ÎÌ‹.
∆ËÓ ÂÔ¯‹ ÙˆÓ ¶·Ï·ÈÔÏfiÁˆÓ (1261-1453) ÙÔ ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓfi
ÔÏÂÌÈÎfi Ó·˘ÙÈÎfi ÂÁηٷÏ›ÊıËΠÏ‹Úˆ˜ Î·È Ë ·˘ÙÔ-
ÎÚ·ÙÔÚ›· ÛÙ‹ÚÈ˙ ÙËÓ ¿Ì˘Ó· Ù˘ ÛÙȘ Ó·˘ÙÈΤ˜ ‰˘Ó¿ÌÂȘ
ÙˆÓ Û˘ÌÌ·¯ÈÎÒÓ ÈÙ·ÏÈÎÒÓ fiψÓ. ÷ڷÎÙËÚÈÛÙÈÎfi ›ӷÈ
fiÙÈ ÛÙ· ÙÂÏÂ˘Ù·›· ¯ÚfiÓÈ· Ù˘ ·˘ÙÔÎÚ·ÙÔÚ›·˜ Ô ÛÙfiÏÔ˜
ÙˆÓ µ˘˙·ÓÙÈÓÒÓ ·ÚÈıÌÔ‡Û ÂÏ¿¯ÈÛÙ· ÔÏÂÌÈο ÏÔ›·
Ô˘ ÂÍÔÏ›˙ÔÓÙ·Ó ÌfiÓÔ Î¿ı ÊÔÚ¿ Ô˘ ·ÚÔ˘ÛÈ·˙fiÙ·Ó
·Ó¿ÁÎË.
OÈ ‰ÚfiÌÔÈ ÙÔ˘ ı·Ï¿ÛÛÈÔ˘ ÂÌÔÚ›Ô˘.
∏ ÚÔÓÔÌȷ΋ ÁˆÁÚ·ÊÈ΋ ı¤ÛË ÙÔ˘ ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓÔ‡ ÎÚ¿-
ÙÔ˘˜ -ÛÙ·˘ÚÔ‰ÚfiÌÈ ·Ó¿ÌÂÛ· Û ∞Ó·ÙÔÏ‹ Î·È ¢‡ÛË - ÙÔ
η٤ÛÙËÛ ·fi Ôχ ÓˆÚ›˜ ÎÔÌ‚ÈÎfi ÛËÌÂ›Ô ÙÔ˘ ‰ÈÂ-
ıÓÔ‡˜ ÂÌÔÚ›Ô˘. OÈ µ˘˙·ÓÙÈÓÔ› ÁÈ· ÌÂÁ¿ÏÔ ¯ÚÔÓÈÎfi ‰È¿-
ÛÙËÌ· ‰È·Ù‹ÚËÛ·Ó ÙÔÓ ¤ÏÂÁ¯Ô Ù˘ ªÂÛÔÁ›Ԣ Î·È Úˆ-
Ù·ÁˆÓ›ÛÙËÛ·Ó ÛÙȘ ı·Ï¿ÛÛȘ ÂÌÔÚÈΤ˜ Û˘Ó·ÏÏ·Á¤˜.
∫·Ù¿ ÙÔ˘˜ ÚˆÙÔ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓÔ‡˜ ¯ÚfiÓÔ˘˜, ΢ڛˆ˜ ÙÔÓ 5Ô
Î·È 6Ô ·È., ÔÈ ·Ó·ÙÔÏÈΤ˜ Â·Ú¯›Â˜ Ù˘ ·˘ÙÔÎÚ·ÙÔÚ›·˜
‹Ù·Ó ÂΛӘ Ô˘ ‰È·‰Ú·Ì¿ÙÈÛ·Ó È‰È·›ÙÂÚ· ÛËÌ·ÓÙÈÎfi
ÚfiÏÔ ÛÙÔ ı·Ï¿ÛÛÈÔ ÂÌfiÚÈÔ Î·ıÒ˜ ÔÈ Î˘ÚÈfiÙÂÚ˜ ÂÌÔ-
ÚÈΤ˜ ·ÚÙËڛ˜ ·fi ÙËÓ Õˆ ∞Ó·ÙÔÏ‹ ÚÔ˜ ÙË ªÂÛfiÁÂÈÔ
η٤ÏËÁ·Ó ÛÙ· ÌÂÁ¿Ï· ÂÌÔÚÈο ΤÓÙÚ· Ù˘ ™˘Ú›·˜ ηÈ
Ù˘ ∞ÈÁ‡ÙÔ˘, ÙËÓ ∞ÓÙÈfi¯ÂÈ· Î·È ÙËÓ ∞ÏÂÍ¿Ó‰ÚÂÈ·. ™ËÌ·-
ÓÙÈο, Â›Û˘, ·Ú·ı·Ï¿ÛÛÈ· ΤÓÙÚ·, fiˆ˜ Ë ¶ÂÏÔfiÓ-
ÓËÛÔ˜ Î·È Ù· πfiÓÈ· ÓËÛÈ¿ Â·Ó‹Ïı·Ó ÛÙËÓ ·˘ÙÔÎÚ·ÙÔÚ›·
ηٿ ÙËÓ ÂÚ›Ô‰Ô Ù˘ ‚·ÛÈÏ›·˜ ÙÔ˘ πÔ˘ÛÙÈÓÈ·ÓÔ‡ ηÈ
·ÔÙ¤ÏÂÛ·Ó ÛËÌ·ÓÙÈÎÔ‡˜ ÂӉȿÌÂÛÔ˘˜ ÛÙ·ıÌÔ‡˜ ÙˆÓ
ÂÌÔÚÈÎÒÓ ‰È·‰ÚÔÌÒÓ ·fi ÙËÓ πÙ·Ï›· ÚÔ˜ ÙËÓ ∫ˆÓÛÙ·-
ÓÙÈÓÔ‡ÔÏË, ÙË ªÈÎÚ¿ ∞Û›· Î·È ÙËÓ ¶·Ï·ÈÛÙ›ÓË.
∆ÔÓ 7Ô ·È. Ë Î·Ù¿ÎÙËÛË ÙˆÓ ÓfiÙÈˆÓ Î·È ÓÔÙÈÔ·Ó·ÙÔÏÈÎÒÓ
Â·Ú¯ÈÒÓ Ù˘ ·˘ÙÔÎÚ·ÙÔÚ›·˜ ·fi ÙÔ˘˜ ÕÚ·‚˜ ·Ó¿Áη-
Û ÙÔ ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓfi ÎÚ¿ÙÔ˜ Ó· ÛÙÚ·Ê› ÚÔ˜ ÙÔÓ µÔÚÚ¿ ηÈ
Ó· ·Ó·˙ËÙ‹ÛÂÈ Ó¤Â˜ ÂÌÔÚÈΤ˜ ·ÊÂÙËڛ˜. ŒÙÛÈ, ÙÔ
ΤÓÙÚÔ ÙˆÓ ÂÌÔÚÈÎÒÓ ‰Ú·ÛÙËÚÈÔÙ‹ÙˆÓ ÙÔ˘ µ˘˙·ÓÙ›Ô˘
ÌÂٷ٤ıËΠÛÙÔÓ ÂÏÏ·‰ÈÎfi ¯ÒÚÔ Î·È Ù· ÏÈÌ¿ÓÈ· ÙÔ˘
∂˘Í›ÓÔ˘ ¶fiÓÙÔ˘. ∏ ∆Ú·Â˙Ô‡ÓÙ· ‰È·ÙËÚÔ‡Û ÙÔÓ ¤ÏÂÁ-
¯Ô ÙÔ˘ ·Ó·ÙÔÏÈÎÔ‡ ÂÌÔÚ›Ô˘ ÂÓÒ Ë ∫ˆÓÛÙ·ÓÙÈÓÔ‡ÔÏË
¤ÁÈÓ ÙÔ ÎÏÂȉ› ÙÔ˘ ‰È·ÌÂÙ·ÎÔÌÈÛÙÈÎÔ‡ ÂÌÔÚ›Ô˘. ∆ËÓ
›‰È· ÂÚ›Ô‰Ô, Ë £ÂÛÛ·ÏÔÓ›ÎË ¿Ú¯ÈÛ ӷ ·Ó·Ù‡ÛÛÂÙ·È
Û ÛËÌ·ÓÙÈÎfi ÂÌÔÚÈÎfi ΤÓÙÚÔ.
∆ÔÓ 9Ô Î·È ÙÔÓ 10Ô ·È. ÙÔ ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓfi ÂÌfiÚÈÔ ¤Êı·Û ÛÙÔ
·fiÁÂÈÔ Ù˘ ·ÎÌ‹˜ ÙÔ˘. OÈ µ˘˙·ÓÙÈÓÔ› ·Ó·Î¿Ï˘„·Ó Ӥ˜
·ÁÔÚ¤˜ Î·È ÂÌfiÚÔ˘˜ ÛÙÔ ‚ÔÚÚ¿. ∞fi Ù· ÏÈÌ¿ÓÈ· Ù˘
ÃÂÚÛÒÓ·˜ ‹Úı·Ó Û Â·Ê‹ Ì ÙÔ˘˜ ÷˙¿ÚÔ˘˜ ·Ú¯Èο
Î·È ÛÙË Û˘Ó¤¯ÂÈ· Ì ÙÔ˘˜ ƒˆ˜, ÌÂٷʤÚÔÓÙ·˜ ‰È¿ÊÔÚ·
ÂÌÔÚ‡̷ٷ ÛÙËÓ ∫ˆÓÛÙ·ÓÙÈÓÔ‡ÔÏË Î·È ·fi ÂΛ
ÚÔ˜ ÙË ¢‡ÛË Ì¤Ûˆ ÙÔ˘ ∂ÏÏËÛfiÓÙÔ˘. ∞fi ÙÔ ‰Â‡ÙÂÚÔ
ÌÈÛfi ÙÔ˘ 10Ô˘ ·È. Î·È ÌÂÙ¿, Ë ·Ó¿ÎÙËÛË ÂÓfi˜ ÌÂÁ¿ÏÔ˘
̤ÚÔ˘˜ ÙˆÓ ¯·Ì¤ÓˆÓ Â·Ú¯ÈÒÓ ÛÙË ªÈÎÚ¿ ∞Û›· Î·È ÛÙË
™˘Ú›· ›¯Â ˆ˜ ·ÔÙ¤ÏÂÛÌ· ÙËÓ ÔÏÈÙÈ΋ Î·È ÔÈÎÔÓÔÌÈ΋
ÂÈÎÚ¿ÙËÛË Ù˘ ·˘ÙÔÎÚ·ÙÔÚ›·˜ ÛÙËÓ ∞Ó·ÙÔÏ‹.
38
be halted.
During the Paleologean era (1261-1453), the Byzantine
navy was totally abandoned and the empire relied on the
naval powers of allied Italian cities for its defense. It is
characteristic that during the last years of the empire, the
Byzantine fleet numbered only a few war ships which
would be equipped only when it was considered
necessary.
The commercial sea routes.
The privileged geographical position of the Byzantine
state -crossroads between East and West- established it,
from early on, as the main channel for international trade.
Over great periods of time, the Byzantines maintained
control of the Mediterranean and played a leading role in
maritime, commercial transactions.
During the early Byzantine years, mainly the 5th and 6th
centuries, the eastern provinces of the empire were the
ones that played leading role in sea commerce, as the
major commercial routes from the Far East to the
Mediterranean, would end up in Antioch and Alexandria,
the great trade centers of Syria and Egypt, respectively.
Also, important coastal centers such as the Peloponnese
and the Ionian Islands returned to the empire and formed
significant intermediate stop-overs within the commercial
routes from Italy to Constantinople, Asia Minor and
Palestine.
In the 7th century, the conquest of the southern and
southeastern provinces by the Arabs, forced the
Byzantine state to turn to the north for new commercial
starting-points. Thus, the centre of the Byzantine
commercial activities was transferred to the Hellenic area
and the ports of Black Sea. Trapezounta had control of the
eastern trade, while Constantinople was the key to, in
transit, trade. During this period, Thessaloniki started to
grow into a significant commercial centre.
In the 9th and 10th centuries, Byzantine commerce
reached its highest peak. The Byzantines discovered new
markets and merchants in the north. From the ports of
Cherson they came into contact, firstly with the Khazars
and then with the Ros, transporting various merchandise
to Constantinople, and from there to the West through the
Hellespont. From the second half of the 10th century and
afterwards, the recovery of a large part of the lost
provinces in Asia Minor and Syria, resulted in the political
and financial prevalence of the empire in the East.
∆Ô 10Ô ·È. ‰È·ÌÔÚÊÒıËÎ·Ó Î·È ÔÈ Î·Ù·ÛÙ¿ÛÂȘ ÂΛӘ
Ô˘ Ô‰‹ÁËÛ·Ó ·ÚÁfiÙÂÚ· ÙÔ ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓfi ÂÌfiÚÈÔ ÛÙÔ
‰ÚfiÌÔ Ù˘ ·Ú·ÎÌ‹˜. ◊‰Ë, ·fi Ù· Ù¤ÏË ÙÔ˘ 9Ô˘ ·È. ÔÈ
ƒÒÛÔÈ ¤ÌÔÚÔÈ ·fi ÙÔ µÔÚÚ¿ ¿Ú¯ÈÛ·Ó Ó· ÌÂٷʤÚÔ˘Ó
ÌfiÓÔÈ ÙÔ˘˜ Ù· ÂÌÔÚ‡̷ٿ ÙÔ˘˜ ϤÔÓÙ·˜ ÚÔ˜ ÙËÓ
∫ˆÓÛÙ·ÓÙÈÓÔ‡ÔÏË ÂÓÒ ÛÙÔ ‰˘ÙÈÎfi ÂÌfiÚÈÔ ÔÈ ÈÙ·ÏÈΤ˜
fiÏÂȘ ÂÌÊ·Ó›ÛÙËÎ·Ó ÛÙÔ ÚÔÛ΋ÓÈÔ ‰È·‰Ú·Ì·Ù›˙ÔÓÙ·˜
ÛËÌ·ÓÙÈÎfi ÚfiÏÔ. OÈ ∞Ì·ÏÊËÓÔ› ‹Ù·Ó ÔÈ ÚÒÙÔÈ Í¤ÓÔÈ
¤ÌÔÚÔÈ Ô˘ ¤Ï·‚·Ó ÂÌÔÚÈο ÚÔÓfiÌÈ· Î·È ÂÁη٤ÛÙË-
Û·Ó ÌfiÓÈ̘ ÂÌÔÚÈΤ˜ ·ÚÔÈ˘ ÛÙËÓ ∫ˆÓÛÙ·ÓÙÈÓÔ‡Ô-
ÏË, ÛÙȘ ·Ú¯¤˜ ÙÔ˘ 10Ô˘ ·È. Î·È ÙÔ 992 Ô ·˘ÙÔÎÚ¿ÙÔÚ·˜
µ·Û›ÏÂÈÔ˜ µ’ (976-1025) ·Ú·¯ÒÚËÛ ÛÙÔ˘˜ µÂÓÂÙÔ‡˜
ÂÌfiÚÔ˘˜ ÛËÌ·ÓÙÈο ÚÔÓfiÌÈ·. ŒÙÛÈ, ÙÔ ‚ÂÓÂÙÈÎfi ÂÌfi-
ÚÈÔ ¿Ú¯ÈÛ ӷ ‰ÈÂÈÛ‰‡ÂÈ ÛÙËÓ ∞Ó·ÙÔÏ‹ Î·È Ó· ·Ó·Ù‡ÛÛÂ-
Ù·È Ú·Á‰·›· ÂÓÒ ·ÓÙ›ıÂÙ· ÙÔ ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓfi ÂÌÔÚÈÎfi Ó·˘ÙÈ-
Îfi ÌÂȈÓfiÙ·Ó Î·È ÔÈ B˘˙·ÓÙÈÓÔ› ¤ÌÔÚÔÈ ·Ú·ÌÂÚ›˙ÔÓÙ·Ó.
∞fi ÙÔÓ 12Ô ·È. Î·È ÂÍ‹˜ Ë ·ÚÔ˘Û›· ÙˆÓ IÙ·ÏÒÓ ÂÌfi-
ÚˆÓ ¤ÁÈÓ ȉȷ›ÙÂÚ· ·ÈÛıËÙ‹ Î·È ÙÔÓ 13Ô ·È. ÌÂÙ¿ ÙËÓ
ηٿÏË„Ë Ù˘ ∫ˆÓÛÙ·ÓÙÈÓÔ‡ÔÏ˘ ·fi ÙÔ˘˜ ™Ù·˘ÚÔ-
ÊfiÚÔ˘˜ Î·È ÙË ‰È¿Ï˘ÛË ÙÔ˘ ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓÔ‡ ÎÚ¿ÙÔ˘˜, Ë
΢ÚÈ·Ú¯›· ÙˆÓ πÙ·ÏÒÓ ÂÌfiÚˆÓ (·Ú¯Èο ÙˆÓ µÂÓÂÙÒÓ Î·È
ÛÙË Û˘Ó¤¯ÂÈ· Î·È ÙˆÓ °ÂÓÔ˘·ÙÒÓ) ‰ڷÈÒıËΠÛÙÔÓ
ÂÏÏ·‰ÈÎfi ¯ÒÚÔ, Û ٤ÙÔÈÔ ÛËÌÂ›Ô ÒÛÙ ӷ Â›Ó·È ‰˘Ó·ÙfiÓ
Ó· ÌÈÏ¿Ì ÁÈ· ÙËÓ ‡·ÚÍË ‰ÈÂıÓÔ‡˜ ·ÁÔÚ¿˜ ÛÙËÓ ·Ó·ÙÔ-
ÏÈ΋ ªÂÛfiÁÂÈÔ.
OÈ Â‰·ÊÈΤ˜ ÎÙ‹ÛÂȘ Î·È ÔÈ ÂÌÔÚÈΤ˜ ·ÔÈ˘ Ô˘ ÔÈ
Ó·˘ÙÈΤ˜ ÈÙ·ÏÈΤ˜ ÎÔÈÓfiÙËÙ˜ ‰ËÌÈÔ‡ÚÁËÛ·Ó ÛÙ· ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈ-
Ó¿ ‰¿ÊË, fiˆ˜ ÛÙÔÓ °·Ï·Ù¿, ÛÙÔÓ ∫·ÊÊ¿, ÛÙËÓ ∫Ú‹ÙË
Î·È ÛÙËÓ ∂‡‚ÔÈ· ‹Ù·Ó Î·È Ô ·‰È·ÌÊÈÛ‚‹ÙËÙÔ˜ ·Ú¿ÁÔ-
ÓÙ·˜ Ô˘ Û˘Ó¤‚·Ï ÛÙÔÓ ¤ÏÂÁ¯Ô ÙÔ˘ ÂÌÔÚ›Ô˘ Ù˘ ∞Ó·-
ÙÔÏÈ΋˜ ªÂÛÔÁ›Ԣ ·fi ·˘Ù¤˜ Î·È ÛÙËÓ ·ÔÌfiÓˆÛË ÙˆÓ
µ˘˙·ÓÙÈÓÒÓ ÂÌfiÚˆÓ.
™ÙËÓ ÂÔ¯‹ ÙˆÓ ¶·Ï·ÈÔÏfiÁˆÓ (1261-1453) Ô ÚfiÏÔ˜ ÙˆÓ
‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓÒÓ ÛÙÔ ÌÂÁ¿ÏÔ ‰È·ÌÂÙ·ÎÔÌÈÛÙÈÎfi ÂÌfiÚÈÔ Ù˘
∞Ó·ÙÔÏ‹˜ Û˘ÚÚÈÎÓÒıËΠ¯ˆÚ›˜, ˆÛÙfiÛÔ, Ó· Û‚‹ÛÂÈ.
ŒÙÛÈ, ‚Ú›ÛÎÔ˘Ì B˘˙·ÓÙÈÓÔ‡˜ ÂÌfiÚÔ˘˜ ÛÙËÓ ∞ÏÂÍ¿Ó-
‰ÚÂÈ· ÛÙ· Ù¤ÏË ÙÔ˘ 13Ô˘ ·È. ÂÓÒ ÛÙȘ ·Ú¯¤˜ ÙÔ˘ 14Ô˘ ·È.
Ë ·ÚÔ˘Û›· ÙÔ˘˜ ‹Ù·Ó Ôχ ÈÔ Û·Ê‹˜ ÛÙËÓ ÂÚÈÔ¯‹
ÙÔ˘ ∞ÈÁ·›Ô˘ Î·È ÛÙË ª·‡ÚË £¿Ï·ÛÛ·, fiÔ˘ ·ÚÔ˘ÛÈ¿-
˙ÔÓÙ·È ¤ÌÔÚÔÈ ·fi ÙËÓ ∫ˆÓÛÙ·ÓÙÈÓÔ‡ÔÏË, ÙËÓ ∞‰ÚÈ·-
ÓÔ‡ÔÏË, ÙË £ÂÛÛ·ÏÔÓ›ÎË, ÙÔ ª˘ÛÙÚ¿ Î·È ÙË ªÔÓÂÌ‚·-
Û›·.
39
However, during the 10th century, conditions were
shaping, that would later lead Byzantine commerce to
decline. Already, from the end of the 9th century, Russian
merchants from the north had started to transport their
merchandise, on their own, to Constantinople. In the
Western trade, the Italian cities appeared on the scene
playing an important role. The Amalfians were the first
foreign merchants who received commercial privileges
and established permanent commercial communities in
Constantinople, in the beginning of the 10th century. In
992, emperor Vasilios II (976-1025), granted significant
privileges to Venetian merchants. Thus, Venetian
commerce began to infiltrate the East with a rapid growth,
while the Byzantine mercantile marine waned and
Byzantine merchants were pushed aside.
From the 12th century onwards, the presence of Italian
merchants became distinctive and during the 13th
century, after the seizure of Constantinople by the
Crusaders and the disintegration of the Byzantine state,
the supremacy of the Italian merchants (originally the
Venetians and then the Genoans) was established in the
Hellenic area to such an extent, that we could talk about
an international market in the eastern Mediterranean.
The territorial acquisitions and the commercial provinces
created by the Italian maritime communities on Byzantine
territories, such as Galata, Kaffas and Crete, was the
undisputed factor that contributed to their commercial
control of the eastern Mediterranean and the isolation of
the Byzantine merchants.
During the Paleologean era (1261-1453), the role of the
Byzantines in the vast Eastern commercial trade dwindled,
however, without becoming extinct. Thus, we may find
Byzantine merchants in Alexandria by the end of the 13th
century, while, by the beginning of the 14th century, they
have a more distinct presence in the area of the Aegean
and the Black Sea, where merchants from Constantinople,
Adrianopolis, Thessaloniki, Mistras and Monemvasia
appear.
 ∆·Í›‰È· ÛÙȘ ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓ¤˜ ı¿Ï·ÛÛ˜.
Voyages in the byzantine seas.

1. OÌÔ›ˆÌ· ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓÔ‡ ‰Úfïӷ (10Ô˜ Ì.Ã. ·È.). ∫·Ù·Û΢‹: °. ƒ¿ÏÏ˘. ŒÚ¢ӷ: ∫ˆÓ. ∞ÏÂÍ·Ó‰Ú‹˜ ∞Ú. ™˘ÏÏÔÁ‹˜: 144
°È· ÙÔÓ ‰Úfïӷ ‰ÂÓ ˘¿Ú¯Ô˘Ó ·Ú¯·ÈÔÏÔÁÈο ‰Â‰Ô̤ӷ. ¶ÏËÚÔÊÔڛ˜ ÁÈ· ÙËÓ ÌÔÚÊ‹ ÙÔ˘ ÚÔ¤Ú¯ÔÓÙ·È ÌfiÓÔ ·fi ÊÈÏÔÏÔÁÈΤ˜
ËÁ¤˜. OÈ Û˘ÁÁÚ·Ê›˜ ‰›ÓÔ˘Ó ÙÔ fiÓÔÌ· ‰ÚfiÌˆÓ Û ÏÔ›· Ô˘ Û˘¯Ó¿ ‰È·Ê¤ÚÔ˘Ó ˆ˜ ÚÔ˜ ÙÔÓ Ù‡Ô Î·È ÙȘ ‰È·ÛÙ¿ÛÂȘ. ¶¿ÓÙˆ˜ ÔÈ
‰ÚfïÓ˜ ›¯·Ó ‰‡Ô ‹ ÙÚÂȘ ÈÛÙÔ‡˜ Î·È ‰‡Ô ÛÂÈÚ¤˜ ÎÔ˘ÈÒÓ. ∆Ô Ì‹ÎÔ˜ ÙÔ˘˜ ÚÔÛ‰ÈÔÚ›˙ÂÙ·È ·fi 45 ¤ˆ˜ 50 ̤ÙÚ· Î·È ÙÔ Ï¿ÙÔ˜ ÙÔ˘˜
·fi 5 ¤ˆ˜ 6 ̤ÙÚ·. ∆Ô ϋڈ̿ ÙÔ˘˜ Î˘Ì·ÈÓfiÙ·Ó ·fi 100 ¤ˆ˜ 300 ¿Ó‰Ú˜. ∞fi ·˘ÙÔ‡˜ ¿ÏÏÔÈ ‹Ù·Ó ÔÏÂÌÈÛÙ¤˜ Î·È ¿ÏÏÔÈ ÎˆËÏ¿-
Ù˜. OÈ ÎˆËÏ¿Ù˜ Ù˘ ¿Óˆ ÛÂÈÚ¿˜ ‹Ù·Ó ÔÏÈṲ̂ÓÔÈ Ì Û·ıÈ¿ Î·È Î·Ù¿ ÙËÓ ÒÚ· Ù˘ Û˘ÌÏÔ΋˜, ¿ÊËÓ·Ó ÙȘ ı¤ÛÂȘ ÙÔ˘˜ Î·È ‚ÔË-
ıÔ‡Û·Ó ÙÔ˘˜ ÔÏÂÌÈÛÙ¤˜. °È· ÙËÓ ÚÔÛÙ·Û›· ÙÔ˘˜, ÂÍ¿ÏÏÔ˘, ÛÙËÓ ÂÚÈÔ¯‹ Ù˘ ÎÔ˘·ÛÙ‹˜ ˘‹Ú¯·Ó ·Û›‰Â˜.
OÈ ‰ÚfïÓ˜ ‹Ù·Ó ÂÍÔÏÈṲ̂ÓÔÈ Ì „ËÏÔ‡˜ ͇ÏÈÓÔ˘˜ ‡ÚÁÔ˘˜ (͢ÏfiηÛÙÚ·) ÛÙË Ì¤ÛË ÙÔ˘ ÎÂÓÙÚÈÎÔ‡ ÈÛÙÔ‡ ·fi fiÔ˘ ¤ÌÂÈÚÔÈ ÙÔÍfi-
Ù˜, ÔÈ Î·ÛÙÂÏψ̤ÓÔÈ, ÂÎÛÊÂÓ‰fiÓÈ˙·Ó ÂÓ·ÓÙ›ÔÓ ÙˆÓ Â¯ıÚÒÓ ·ÎfiÓÙÈ· Î·È ‚¤ÏË ·ÏÏ¿ Î·È ¤ÙÚ˜ Î·È Û›‰ÂÚ·. ™ÙËÓ ÏÒÚË Î·È ÛÙË Ú‡-
ÌÓË ¤ÊÂÚ·Ó ÙȘ ÙÔÍÔ‚·Ï›ÛÙÚ˜, ÂȉÈÎÔ‡˜ Ì˯·ÓÈÛÌÔ‡˜ ·fi fiÔ˘ ÂÎÙÔ͇ÔÓÙ·Ó ÌÈÎÚ¿ ‚¤ÏË, Ù· ÔÓÔÌ·˙fiÌÂÓ· ̇Ș Î·È Ï›ıÔ˘˜.
∆Ô Î˘ÚÈfiÙÂÚÔ, fï˜, fiÏÔ ÙˆÓ ‰ÚÔÌÒÓˆÓ ‹Ù·Ó ÙÔ ˘ÁÚfiÓ ˘Ú. ∆Ô Â‡ÊÏÂÎÙÔ Ì›ÁÌ· ÂÎÛÊÂÓ‰ÔÓÈ˙fiÙ·Ó ·fi ‰Ô¯Â›·, Ì ÂȉÈÎÔ‡˜ ¯¿ÏÎÈ-
ÓÔ˘˜ ۈϋÓ˜ ÂÎÙfiÍ¢Û˘ - ۛʈÓ˜- Ô˘ ¤ÊÂÚ·Ó ÛÙËÓ ¿ÎÚË ÙÚÔÌ·ÎÙÈο ÔÌÔÈÒÌ·Ù· ÎÂÊ·ÏÒÓ ıËÚ›ˆÓ, fiˆ˜ ¯·Ú·ÎÙËÚÈÛÙÈο ÛËÌÂÈ-
ÒÓÂÈ Ë ÕÓÓ· ∫ÔÌÓËÓ‹ ÛÙËÓ «∞ÏÂÍÈ¿‰·» (12Ô˜ ·È.). ∆· ÏÔ›· ·˘Ù¿ ·Ó·Ê¤ÚÔÓÙ·È ÛÙȘ ËÁ¤˜ ˆ˜ ÛÈʈÓÔÊfiÚÔÈ ‰ÚfïÓ˜
‹ ηÎη‚Ô˘ÚÊfiÚÔÈ.
O ΢‚ÂÚÓ‹Ù˘ ÙÔ˘ ÏÔ›Ô˘ ÔÓÔÌ·˙fiÙ·Ó Î¤ÓÙ·Ú¯Ô˜. O ı¿Ï·Ìfi˜ ÙÔ˘ ‚ÚÈÛÎfiÙ·Ó ›Ûˆ ÛÙËÓ Ú‡ÌÓË Î·È ÔÈ B˘˙·ÓÙÈÓÔ› ÙÔÓ ÔÓfiÌ·˙·Ó
ÎÚ¿‚‚·ÙÔ. OÈ ¿Ó‰Ú˜ Ô˘ ·ÔÙÂÏÔ‡Û·Ó Ù· ÏËÚÒÌ·Ù· ·˘ÙÒÓ ÙˆÓ ÔÏÂÌÈÎÒÓ ÏÔ›ˆÓ ÔÓÔÌ¿˙ÔÓÙ·Ó ÏÒÈÌÔÈ ÛÙÚ·ÙÈÒÙ·È ‹ η‚‚·Ï·Ú›-
ÎÔÈ, Î·È ‹Ù·Ó fiÏÔÈ ÂχıÂÚÔÈ Ôϛ٘.

1. Model of a Byzantine dromon (10th century A.D.). Made by G. Rallis. Research by C. Alexandris. Collection No: 144
There is no available archaeological evidence regarding the dromon. Information regarding her shape comes only from literary
sources. The authors give the name dromon to ships which often differ in size and dimensions. Nevertheless, dromons had two or
three masts, and two banks of oars. They measured between 45 to 50 metres in length and 5 to 6 metres in width. Their crew
complement would vary from 100 to 300 men. Of these men, others were warriors and others were oarsmen. The oarsmen of the
upper bank were armed with swords and, when in battle, they would leave their positions and assist the warriors. There were shields
placed along the ship's bulwarks for their protection.
The dromons were equipped with high wooden constructions, called castles (xilokastra), in the middle of the central mast from where,
experienced archers, (they were called castellomenoi), would hurl spears, arrows, and even rocks and pieces of iron against the
enemy. In the bow and in the stern, they had the toxovalistres, special mechanisms that threw small arrows, called myies, and stones.
The main weapon of the dromon, however, was liquid fire. This highly inflammable mixture would be spurted from containers with
special copper tubes-siphons- at the end of which there were placed frightful effigies of beast-heads. Anna Comnena characteristically
describes them in her “Alexiad” (12th century). Sources name these ships as siphonoforoi dromons or kakkavopyrforoi.
The ship's commander was called kentarchos. His quarters were situated aft, in the stern, and the Byzantines called it kravvatos. The
men that crewed these warships were called ploimi stratiotai or kavvalarikoi and were all free citizens.

40
2

2. §ÂÙÔ̤ÚÂÈ· ·fi ÂÁ¯¿Ú·ÎÙË ·Ú¿ÛÙ·ÛË ‰ÚfïÓÔ˜ (;) Û ›ıÔ Ù˘ ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓ‹˜ ÂÚÈfi‰Ô˘. ∞fi ÙËÓ ∂‡‚ÔÈ·. ∞Ú. ™˘ÏÏÔÁ‹˜: 147

2. Detail from incised representation of a dromon (?) on a large earthenware jar of the Byzantine period. From Euboea.
Collection No: 147

3. §ÂÙÔ̤ÚÂÈ· ·fi ÂÁ¯¿Ú·ÎÙË ·Ú¿ÛÙ·ÛË ÂÌÔÚÈÎÔ‡ ÏÔ›Ô˘ Û ›ıÔ Ù˘ ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓ‹˜ ÂÚÈfi‰Ô˘. ∞fi ÙËÓ ∂‡‚ÔÈ·.
∞Ú. ™˘ÏÏÔÁ‹˜:147

3. Detail from incised representation of a merchant ship on a large earthenware jar of the Byzantine period. From Euboea.
Collection No: 147

41
 4

4. OÌÔ›ˆÌ· ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓÔ‡ ÂÌÔÚÈÎÔ‡ ÏÔ›Ô˘ ( 7Ô˜ ·È. Ì.Ã). ∫·Ù·Û΢‹: ∞Ú. ƒ¿ÏÏ˘. ∞Ú. ™˘ÏÏÔÁ‹˜: 2.359
OÌÔ›ˆÌ· ηٷÛ΢·Ṳ̂ÓÔ Û‡Ìʈӷ Ì ÙÔ Â‡ÚËÌ· ÙÔ˘ Ó·˘·Á›Ô˘ ÂÓfi˜ ÌÈÎÚÔ‡ ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓÔ‡ ÂÌÔÚÈÎÔ‡ ÏÔ›Ô˘ ÛÙÔ ‚˘ıfi Ù˘ ı¿Ï·Û-
Û·˜ ÎÔÓÙ¿ ÛÙÔ ÓËÛ¿ÎÈ ÙÔ˘ Yassi Ada, ·¤Ó·ÓÙÈ ·fi ÙËÓ ∫ˆ. ™ÒıËΠۯ‰fiÓ ÙÔ 60% ÙÔ˘ ÛηÚÈÔ‡, ÁÂÁÔÓfi˜ Ô˘ Â¤ÙÚ„ ÙËÓ ·Ó·-
Û‡ÓıÂÛË ÙÔ˘ ÛοÊÔ˘˜ ·ÏÏ¿ Î·È ¤‰ˆÛ ÛËÌ·ÓÙÈΤ˜ ÏËÚÔÊÔڛ˜ ÁÈ· ÙËÓ ÂͤÏÈÍË Ù˘ ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓ‹˜ Ó·˘ËÁÈ΋˜. ∏ ηٷÛ΢‹ ÙÔ˘
·ÚÔ˘ÛÈ¿˙ÂÈ È‰È·›ÙÂÚÔ ÂӉȷʤÚÔÓ, ηıÒ˜ ·ÔÙ˘ÒÓÂÈ ÙËÓ ·ÏÏ·Á‹ Ô˘ Û˘Ì‚·›ÓÂÈ ·˘Ù‹Ó ÙËÓ ¯ÚÔÓÈ΋ ÂÚ›Ô‰Ô ·fi ÙËÓ ·Ú¯·›· Ù¯ÓÈ΋
ÚÒÙ· ÙÔ ¤Ùۈ̷ (shell first) ÛÙË ÓÂfiÙÂÚË ÚÒÙ· Ô ÛÎÂÏÂÙfi˜ (skeleton first). ∏ ηٷÛ΢‹ ÙÔ˘ ÛοÊÔ˘˜ ̤¯ÚÈ ÙËÓ ›Û·ÏÔ ÁÚ·ÌÌ‹
¤ÁÈÓ Ì ÙËÓ ·Ú¯·›· Ù¯ÓÈ΋. ∞fi ÂΛ Î·È ¿Óˆ ÛÙÂÚÂÒıËÎ·Ó ÓÔÌ›˜ ·fi ÊÙÂÏÈ¿ ¿Óˆ ÛÙÔ˘˜ ÔÔ›Ô˘˜ ηÚÊÒıËÎ·Ó ÔÈ Û·Ó›‰Â˜ ÙÔ˘
ÂÙÛÒÌ·ÙÔ˜ Ì ÛȉÂÚ¤ÓÈ· ηÚÊÈ¿. ◊Ù·Ó ¤Ó· ÏÂÙfi ÛοÊÔ˜ Ì‹ÎÔ˘˜ 20 ̤ÙÚˆÓ Î·È Ï¿ÙÔ˘˜ 5,22 ̤ÙÚˆÓ, ¯ˆÚËÙÈÎfiÙËÙ·˜ 61 ÙfiÓˆÓ.
¢È¤ıÂÙ ¤Ó·Ó ÎÂÓÙÚÈÎfi ÈÛÙfi Î·È ¤Ó·Ó ÌÈÎÚfiÙÂÚÔ ÚÔ˜ ÙËÓ ÏÒÚË. ∂›¯Â ηٿÛÙڈ̷ Û fiÏË ÙËÓ ÂÈÊ¿ÓÂÈ· ÂÎÙfi˜ ·fi ¤Ó· ÙÂÙÚ¿ÁˆÓÔ
¯ÒÚÔ ÎÔÓÙ¿ ÛÙËÓ Ú‡ÌÓË, fiÔ˘ ˘‹Ú¯Â Ì›· ηÌ›Ó· ÛÙÂÁ·Ṳ̂ÓË Ì ÎÂÚ·Ì›‰È·. ∫¿Ùˆ ·fi ·˘Ù‹Ó ‚ÚÈÛÎfiÙ·Ó ÙÔ Ì·ÁÂÈÚÂ›Ô ÙÔ˘ ÏÔ›Ô˘,
ηıÒ˜ ÛÙÔ ÂÛˆÙÂÚÈÎfi ‚Ú¤ıËΠÂÛÙ›· ÛÙڈ̤ÓË Ì ÎÂÚ·ÌÈΤ˜ ÂÊ˘·ÏˆÌ¤Ó˜ ϿΘ. ∆Ô Î‡ÚÈÔ ÊÔÚÙ›Ô ÙÔ˘ ÏÔ›Ô˘ ‹Ù·Ó 850, ·Ó fi¯È
ÂÚÈÛÛfiÙÂÚÔÈ, ·ÌÊÔÚ›˜ Ì ÎÚ·Û›. ™ÙÔ ÏÔ›Ô ‚Ú¤ıËÎ·Ó Â›Û˘ ͢ÏÔ˘ÚÁÈο ÂÚÁ·Ï›·, 11 ¿Á΢Ú˜, ÔÏÏ¿ Ì·ÁÂÈÚÈο Û·Ë, Ï˘¯Ó¿ÚÈ·,
¯¿ÏÎÈÓ· Î·È ¯Ú˘Û¿ ÓÔÌ›ÛÌ·Ù·, Ô˘ ¯ÚÔÓÔÏÔÁÔ‡Ó ÙÔ Ó·˘¿ÁÈÔ ÛÙ· 625/6 Ì.Ã., 3 ˙˘Á·ÚȤ˜ Î·È Ì›· ÛÂÈÚ¿ ·fi ‚¿ÚË. ™Â Ì›· ·fi ÙȘ ˙˘Á·-
ÚȤ˜ ‚Ú¤ıËΠ¯·Ú·Á̤ÓÔ ÙÔ fiÓÔÌ· ÙÔ˘ ȉÈÔÎÙ‹ÙË Î·È Î·ÂÙ¿ÓÈÔ˘ ÙÔ˘ ÏÔ›Ô˘ “°∂øƒ°πOÀ ¶ƒ∂™µÀ∆∂ƒOÀ ¡∞À∫§∏ƒOÀ”.
∆· Â˘Ú‹Ì·Ù· ‚Ú›ÛÎÔÓÙ·È ÛÙÔ ÌÔ˘ÛÂ›Ô ÂÓ·Ï›·˜ ·Ú¯·ÈÔÏÔÁ›·˜ ÙÔ˘ Bodrum (∞ÏÈηÚÓ·ÛÛfi˜) ÛÙËÓ ∆Ô˘ÚΛ·.
∆Ô Ó·˘¿ÁÈÔ ÚÔÎÏ‹ıËΠ·fi ÙËÓ ÚÔÛ¿Ú·ÍË ÙÔ˘ ÏÔ›Ô˘ Û ‡Ê·ÏÔ. ¢˘ÛÙ˘¯Ò˜ Ë ·ÊÂÙËÚ›· Î·È Ô ÚÔÔÚÈÛÌfi˜ ÙÔ˘ ·Ú·Ì¤ÓÔ˘Ó ·‰È¢-
ÎÚ›ÓÈÛÙ·, fiˆ˜ Â›Û˘ Î·È Ô ·ÚÈıÌfi˜ ÙˆÓ ÌÂÏÒÓ ÙÔ˘ ÏËÚÒÌ·Ùfi˜ ÙÔ˘.

4. Model of a Byzantine merchant ship (7th century A.D.). Made by A. Rallis. Collection No: 2,359
This model was built in accordance with the wreck of a small Byzantine merchant ship, discovered at the bottom of the sea, near the
islet of Yassi Ada, opposite the island of Kos. Almost 60% of the ship was salvaged, a fact which not only enabled her reconstruction,
but also provided important information regarding the development of Byzantine shipbuilding. Her construction is of particular interest,
since it marks the transition that took place during this period from the ancient shell first technique, to the modern skeleton first
method. Below the waterline, the vessel was built using the ancient technique. Above the waterline, elm frames were fitted, onto
which, the planks of the shell were nailed using iron spikes.
She was a narrow beamed ship, 20 metres in length and a beam of 5.22 metres with a capacity of 61 tons. She had a main mast and
a smaller one towards the bow. The entire ship was decked, with the exception of a square area astern, where there was a tile
covered cabin. Below the cabin it was the ship's galley, as evidenced by the stove with glazed ceramic plates. The main cargo she
carried was 850, if not more, wine amphorae. There were also found on the ship carpentry tools, eleven anchors, many cooking
utensils, oil lamps, bronze and gold coins that date the wreck to 625-626 A.D., three scales and a set of weights. On one of the
scales, the name of the ship's owner and captain, “GEORGIOS NAFKLEROS the ELDER”, was found engraved. The findings are on
display in the Museum of Underwater Archaeology in Bodrum, Turkey. The ship sank when she ran aground on a reef. Unfortunately,
her ports of departure and destination remain unknown, as well as the number of her crew.

42
 ¶ÚÔÂ·Ó·ÛÙ·ÙÈο ¯ÚfiÓÈ· Î·È ÙÔ N·˘ÙÈÎfi ÙÔ˘ 1821.
The years prior to the Hellenic War of Independence and the Navy of 1821.
 ¶ÚÔÂ·Ó·ÛÙ·ÙÈο ¯ÚfiÓÈ· Î·È ÙÔ N·˘ÙÈÎfi ÙÔ˘ 1821.
The years prior to the Hellenic War of Independence and the Navy of 1821.
∏ ÂΉ‹ÏˆÛË Ù˘ ∂ÏÏËÓÈ΋˜ ∂·Ó·ÛÙ¿Ûˆ˜ ÙÔ 1821 ›ӷÈ
¿ÚÚËÎÙ· Û˘Ó‰Â‰Â̤ÓË Ì ÙËÓ ÔÈÎÔÓÔÌÈ΋ ·Ó¿Ù˘ÍË Î·È
ÓÂ˘Ì·ÙÈ΋ ·Ê‡ÓÈÛË ÙˆÓ ˘fi‰Ô˘ÏˆÓ ∂ÏÏ‹ÓˆÓ Î·Ù¿ ÙË
‰È¿ÚÎÂÈ· ÙÔ˘ 18Ô˘ ·ÈÒÓ·. ∏ Û˘ÛÛÒÚ¢ÛË ÏÔ‡ÙÔ˘ Î·È Ë
‰È¿‰ÔÛË ÙˆÓ ÊÈÏÂχıÂÚˆÓ Î·È Â·Ó·ÛÙ·ÙÈÎÒÓ ÌËÓ˘Ì¿-
ÙˆÓ Ù˘ ∂˘ÚÒ˘ ÛÙÔ˘˜ ŒÏÏËÓ˜ ÔÊ›ÏÂÙ·È Î·Ù¿ ·ÚÈÔ
ÏfiÁÔ, ÛÙËÓ ·Ó¿Ù˘ÍË Ù˘ ÂÌÔÚÈ΋˜ Ó·˘ÙÈÏ›·˜ Î·È ˘ÏÔ-
ÔÈ‹ıËΠ·fi ÙËÓ Ù¿ÍË ÙˆÓ ÏÔ˘Û›ˆÓ ∂ÏÏ‹ÓˆÓ ÂÌfiÚˆÓ
Ô˘ ‰ËÌÈÔ˘ÚÁ‹ıËΠηٿ ÙËÓ ÂÔ¯‹ Ù˘ ÙÔ˘ÚÎÔÎÚ·Ù›·˜.
∆Ô ∞ÈÁ·›Ô, ·fi Ù· ÚÒÙ· ¯ÚfiÓÈ· Ù˘ ÔıˆÌ·ÓÈ΋˜ ÂÈ-
ÎÚ¿ÙËÛ˘ ¤ÁÈÓ ÙÔ ÛÎËÓÈÎfi ·ÈÌ·ÙËÚÒÓ Û˘ÁÎÚÔ‡ÛˆÓ
·Ó¿ÌÂÛ· Û µÂÓÂÙÔ‡˜ Î·È OıˆÌ·ÓÔ‡˜, Ô˘ ¤ÚÈ˙·Ó ÁÈ·
ÙËÓ Î˘ÚÈ·Ú¯›· ÙÔ˘ Î·È ·Ú¿ÏÏËÏ· ›¯Â ηٷÛÙ› ‰›Ô
‰Ú¿Û˘ ·ÈÌÔÛÙ·ÁÒÓ ÂÈÚ·ÙÒÓ Î·È ÎÔ˘ÚÛ¿ÚˆÓ ‰È·ÊfiÚˆÓ
ÂıÓÈÎÔًوÓ. OÈ Î¿ÙÔÈÎÔÈ ÙˆÓ ÓËÛÈÒÓ Â›¯·Ó Ô‰ËÁËı›
ÛÙËÓ ÂÍ·ıÏ›ˆÛË ÂÓÒ ÔÏÏ¿ ÓËÛÈ¿ ›¯·Ó ·ÔÁ˘ÌÓˆı›
ÂÓÙÂÏÒ˜ ·fi ÙÔ ÁËÁÂÓ‹ ÏËı˘ÛÌfi ÙÔ˘˜. ∏ ·ÏÏ·Á‹
·˘Ù‹˜ Ù˘ ηٿÛÙ·Û˘ ÛËÌ·ÙÔ‰ÔÙÂ›Ù·È Ì ÙËÓ Â‰Ú·›ˆÛË
Ù˘ ÔıˆÌ·ÓÈ΋˜ ΢ÚÈ·Ú¯›·˜ ÛÙ· ÓËÛÈ¿ ·fi ÙȘ ·Ú¯¤˜
ÙÔ˘ 17Ô˘ ·È. ∏ ¶‡ÏË ÚÔÎÂÈ̤ÓÔ˘ Ó· ÂÈÛÚ¿ÙÙÂÈ ÊfiÚÔ˘˜
·fi Ù· ̤¯ÚÈ ÙfiÙ ÊÙˆ¯¿ ÓËÛȈÙÈο ‰¿ÊË, ·Ú¯›˙ÂÈ Úfi-
ÁÚ·ÌÌ· ÂÔÈÎÈÛÌÔ‡ ÙˆÓ ÓËÛÈÒÓ ·Ú¤¯ÔÓÙ·˜ ·Ú¿ÏÏËÏ·
Î·È ÚÔÓfiÌÈ· ÛÙÔ˘˜ ηÙÔ›ÎÔ˘˜ ÙˆÓ, Ù· ÔÔ›· ΢ڛˆ˜
Û˘Ó›ÛÙ·ÓÙ·È Û ÊÔÚÔ··ÏÏ·Á¤˜ ·ÏÏ¿ Î·È ÛÙË ¯·Ï·Ú‹
·ÚÔ˘Û›· Ù˘ ÔıˆÌ·ÓÈ΋˜ ‰ÈÔ›ÎËÛ˘, Ô˘ ÙÂÏÈο ı·
Ô‰ËÁ‹ÛÂÈ Û ηıÂÛÙÒ˜ ËÌÈ·˘ÙÔÓÔÌ›·˜. ∏ OıˆÌ·ÓÈ΋
A˘ÙÔÎÚ·ÙÔÚ›· Ô˘ ·fi Ù· Ù¤ÏË ÙÔ˘ 16Ô˘ ·ÈÒÓ· ¿Ú¯ÈÛÂ
Ó· ÂÌÊ·Ó›˙ÂÈ ÛËÌ¿‰È· ·Ú·ÎÌ‹˜, ‰ÂÓ ÌfiÚÂÛ ӷ ÂÎÌÂ-
Ù·ÏÏ¢Ù› Ù· ÔʤÏË Ô˘ ·¤ÚÚÂ·Ó ·fi ÙËÓ Î˘ÚÈ·Ú¯›·
ÛÙÔ ı·Ï¿ÛÛÈÔ ÂÌfiÚÈÔ. ™Ù· ¿ÁÔÓ· ÓËÛÈ¿ ÙÔ˘ ∞ÈÁ·›Ô˘ Ë
ÂÓ·Û¯fiÏËÛË ÙˆÓ Î·ÙÔ›ÎˆÓ Ì ٷ Ó·˘ÙÈο Â·ÁÁ¤ÏÌ·Ù·
‹Ù·Ó Ë ÌÔÓ·‰È΋ ۯ‰fiÓ ËÁ‹ ÂÈÛÔ‰‹Ì·ÙÔ˜. OÈ OıˆÌ·-
ÓÔ› ηٷÎÙËÙ¤˜ ηıÒ˜ ‰ÂÓ ‹Ù·Ó ÔÙ¤ ηÏÔ› Ó·˘ÙÈÎÔ›,
¿ÊËÛ·Ó Ô˘ÛÈ·ÛÙÈο ÂχıÂÚÔ ÙÔ ‰›Ô ÙÔ˘ ÙÔ̤· Ù˘
Ó·˘ÙÈÏ›·˜ ÛÙÔ˘˜ ŒÏÏËÓ˜ ˘ËÎfiÔ˘˜ ÙÔ˘˜. ∞fi ÛÔÚ·‰È-
Τ˜ Ì·ÚÙ˘Ú›Â˜ Á›ÓÂÙ·È ·ÓÙÈÏËÙfi ˆ˜ ÛÙÔ ÚÒÙÔ ÌÈÛfi
ÙÔ˘ 18Ô˘ ·È. ÙÔ ÂÛˆÙÂÚÈÎfi ÂÌfiÚÈÔ Ù˘ OıˆÌ·ÓÈ΋˜
∞˘ÙÔÎÚ·ÙÔÚ›·˜ ›¯Â ÂÚȤÏıÂÈ ÛÙ· ¯¤ÚÈ· ÙˆÓ ∂ÏÏ‹ÓˆÓ
Ó·˘ÙÈÎÒÓ. ∞˘Ù¤˜ ÔÈ Û˘Óı‹Î˜ ‰ËÌÈÔ‡ÚÁËÛ·Ó ÙȘ ηٿÏ-
ÏËϘ ÚÔ¸Ôı¤ÛÂȘ fi¯È ÌfiÓÔ ÁÈ· ÙË ‰ËÌÔÁÚ·ÊÈ΋ ·Ó¿-
Ù˘ÍË ÙˆÓ ÓËÛÈÒÓ ·ÏÏ¿ Î·È ÁÈ· ÙËÓ ÔÈÎÔÓÔÌÈ΋ ÙÔ˘˜ Âͤ-
ÏÈÍË.
∏ ÂÏÏËÓÈ΋ ÂÌÔÚÈ΋ Ó·˘ÙÈÏ›· ¿ÓıËÛ ·fi ÙÔ ‚’ ÌÈÛfi
ÙÔ˘ 18Ô˘ ·È. οو ·fi ÙȘ Û˘Óı‹Î˜ ÂÍÔÓÙˆÙÈÎÔ‡ ·ÓÙ·-
ÁˆÓÈÛÌÔ‡ ·Ó¿ÌÂÛ· ÛÙȘ Ó·˘ÙÈΤ˜ ‰˘Ó¿ÌÂȘ Ù˘ ÂÔ¯‹˜,
΢ڛˆ˜ °·ÏÏ›·˜ Î·È ∞ÁÁÏ›·˜, ÔÈ Ôԛ˜ Â¤ÙÚ„·Ó ÙËÓ
·ÓÙÈηٿÛÙ·ÛË ÙÔ˘ ͤÓÔ˘ ¤ÌÔÚÔ˘ Î·È ÌÂÙ·ÊÔÚ¤· ·fi
ÙÔÓ ÓÙfiÈÔ, ÙÔÓ ŒÏÏËÓ·, Î·È Û˘ÓÂÒ˜ ÙË Û˘ÌÌÂÙÔ¯‹ ÙÔ˘
ÙÂÏÂ˘Ù·›Ô˘ ÛÙÔ ‰ÈÂıÓ¤˜ ÂÌfiÚÈÔ. ∏ ·ÎÌ‹ fï˜ Ù˘ ÂÏÏË-
ÓfiÎÙËÙ˘ Ó·˘ÙÈÏ›·˜ ÛÙÔ ‚’ ÌÈÛfi ÙÔ˘ ȉ›Ô˘ ·ÈÒÓ· ÛËÌ·ÙÔ-
‰ÔÙÂ›Ù·È ·fi ÙȘ ÈÛÙÔÚÈΤ˜ Û˘ÁÎ˘Ú›Â˜. ™ËÌ·ÓÙÈÎfi ÁÂÁÔ-
44
The outbreak of the Hellenic Revolution in 1821, is
strongly related to the economic development and
intellectual awakening of the enslaved Hellenes during
the 18th century. The accumulation of wealth and the
spreading of liberal and revolutionary ideas from Europe
to the Hellenic people were attributed to the
development of the mercantile marine and was realized
by the class of wealthy Hellene merchants that was
created during the period of Turkish domination.
Since the very first years of the Ottoman conquest, the
Aegean had become a theatre of bloody clashes
between the Venetians and the Ottomans who were
fighting for its control and, at the same time, it had
become a field of action for blood-thirsty pirates of
various nationalities. The islanders had been driven to
poverty while many islands had been completely
stripped of their native population. This situation started
to change with the consolidation of Ottoman rule over
the islands, from the beginning of the 17th century. The
Sublime Port, in order to collect taxes from the poor, up
to then, island regions, commenced a settlement plan for
the islands and, at the same time, granted privileges to
the inhabitants, mainly tax exemptions, but also a more
relaxed presence of Ottoman administration, which finally
led to a form of semi-autonomy. The Ottoman Empire,
which started to show signs of decline by the end of the
16th century, was not able to take advantage of the
benefits that emanated from commercial supremacy at
sea. In the barren islands of the Aegean, the maritime
profession, exercised by the inhabitants, provided almost
the only income for their survival. The Ottoman
conquerors had never been experienced mariners and
essentially left the maritime sector open to their Hellene
subjects. From sporadic accounts, it appears that during
the first half of the 18th century, internal trade in the
Ottoman Empire was in the hands of Hellene mariners.
This situation created suitable conditions, not only for the
demographic development of the islands, but also for
their financial progress.
The Hellenic mercantile marine flourished after the
second half of the 18th century under conditions of
cutthroat competition among the maritime powers of this
period, namely between France and England. This
competition allowed the replacement of the European
merchant and transporter, by the local one, the Hellene,
thus allowing the participation of the latter in international
commerce. The peak of the Hellenic mercantile marine,
during the second half of the same century, was
Ófi˜ ·ÔÙ¤ÏÂÛ ÙÔ Ù¤ÏÔ˜ ÙÔ˘ ÚˆÛÔÙÔ˘ÚÎÈÎÔ‡ ÔϤÌÔ˘
Î·È Ë ™˘Óı‹ÎË ÙÔ˘ ∫ÈÔ˘ÙÛԇΠ∫·˚Ó·ÚÙ˙‹ (1768-1774).
™‡Ìʈӷ Ì ·˘Ù‹Ó Ù· ÂÏÏËÓÈο ÏÔ›· ÌÔÚÔ‡Û·Ó Ó·
¯ÚËÛÈÌÔÔÈÔ‡Ó ÙË ÚˆÛÈ΋ ÛËÌ·›· Î·È Ó· ‰È·Ï¤Ô˘Ó
ÂχıÂÚ· Ù· ™ÙÂÓ¿ ÙÔ˘ ∂˘Í›ÓÔ˘ ¶fiÓÙÔ˘. ∆Ô ·ÔÙ¤ÏÂ-
ÛÌ· ‹Ù·Ó ÔÈ ÌÂÙ·ÊÔÚ¤˜ ÙˆÓ ÚˆÛÈÎÒÓ ÛÈÙËÚÒÓ Ó· ÂÚ¿-
ÛÔ˘Ó ÛÙ· ¯¤ÚÈ· ÙˆÓ ∂ÏÏ‹ÓˆÓ ÂÌfiÚˆÓ. ¶·Ú¿ÏÏËÏ·, ÙËÓ
›‰È· ÂÔ¯‹, ÔÈ N·ÔÏÂfiÓÙÂÈÔÈ ¶fiÏÂÌÔÈ ·ÔÌ¿ÎÚ˘Ó·Ó ÙÔ
΢ڛ·Ú¯Ô ˆ˜ ÙfiÙ Á·ÏÏÈÎfi Ó·˘ÙÈÎfi ·fi ÙË ªÂÛfiÁÂÈÔ,
‰›ÓÔÓÙ·˜ ¤ÙÛÈ ÛÙÔ˘˜ ŒÏÏËÓ˜ ÙËÓ Â˘Î·ÈÚ›· Ó· ‰ڷÈÒ-
ÛÔ˘Ó ÙËÓ ı¤ÛË ÙÔ˘˜ ÛÙÔ ÂÌfiÚÈÔ Ù˘ ÂÚÈÔ¯‹˜. ∂ÈϤ-
ÔÓ, Ô ·ÔÎÏÂÈÛÌfi˜ Ô˘ ›¯Â ÂÈ‚¿ÏÏÂÈ Ô ·ÁÁÏÈÎfi˜ ÛÙfi-
ÏÔ˜ ÛÙ· ÏÈÌ¿ÓÈ· Ù˘ °·ÏÏ›·˜, πÛ·Ó›·˜, πÙ·Ï›·˜ Î·È ª¿Ï-
Ù·˜, ¤ÁÈÓ ·ÊÔÚÌ‹ ÁÈ· ÂÎÙÂٷ̤ÓË ÂÌÔÚÈ΋ ‰Ú·ÛÙËÚÈfi-
ÙËÙ· Î·È ÁÚ‹ÁÔÚÔ ÏÔ˘ÙÈÛÌfi. OÈ ŒÏÏËÓ˜ ηڷ‚Ô·ÚË-
‰Â˜ ·„ËÊÒÓÙ·˜ Ù· ·ÁÁÏÈο ÔÏÂÌÈο ÏÔ›·, ‰È·ÛÔ‡Û·Ó
ÙȘ ÁÚ·Ì̤˜ ÙÔ˘ ·ÔÎÏÂÈÛÌÔ‡ Î·È ·ÓÂÊÔ‰›·˙·Ó Ì ÙÔ
ÂÚÈ˙‹ÙËÙÔ ÛÈÙ¿ÚÈ Ù· Â˘Úˆ·˚ο ÏÈÌ¿ÓÈ·. ∆· Î¤Ú‰Ë Ô˘
·ÔÎfiÌÈ˙·Ó ·fi ·˘Ù¤˜ ÙȘ ÂȯÂÈÚ‹ÛÂȘ ‹Ù·Ó ÙÂÚ¿ÛÙÈ·.
ŒÓ· ̤ÚÔ˜ ·fi ·˘Ù¿ ÂÂÓ‰‡ıËΠ۠ÔÈÎÔ‰Ô̤˜ Î·È Ó·˘-
ÙÈÏȷΤ˜ ÂȯÂÈÚ‹ÛÂȘ ·ÏÏ¿ ÙÔ ÌÂÁ·Ï‡ÙÂÚÔ ¯ÚËÌ·ÙÔ‰fi-
ÙËÛ ÙËÓ ∂·Ó¿ÛÙ·ÛË ÙÔ˘ 1821.
∆Ș ·Ú·ÌÔÓ¤˜ Ù˘ ∂·Ó·ÛÙ¿Ûˆ˜, ÔÈ ŒÏÏËÓ˜ ÏÔÈÔ-
Îً٘ ‰È¤ıÂÙ·Ó ÙÔÓ ÂÓÙ˘ˆÛÈ·Îfi ·ÚÈıÌfi ÙˆÓ 1.000
ÂÚ›Ô˘ ÂÌÔÚÈÎÒÓ ÏÔ›ˆÓ. ∆Ú›· ÓËÛÈ¿ ›¯·Ó ÙÔ˘˜ ÌÂÁ·-
χÙÂÚÔ˘˜ ÂÌÔÚÈÎÔ‡˜ ÛÙfiÏÔ˘˜: Ë ⁄‰Ú·, ÔÈ ™¤ÙÛ˜ ηÈ
Ù· æ·Ú¿. ∆· ÂÚÈÛÛfiÙÂÚ· ηڿ‚È· ‹Ù·Ó ÌÚ›ÎÈ· Ì ‰‡Ô
ÌÂÁ¿Ï· ηٿÚÙÈ·, ÂÎÙfiÈÛÌ· 250 ÙfiÓˆÓ Î·È ÂÍÔÏÈṲ̂ӷ
Ì 8 ¤ˆ˜ 16 ηÓfiÓÈ· ÁÈ· Ó· ·ÓÙÈÌÂÙˆ›˙Ô˘Ó Ì ÌÂÁ·Ï‡ÙÂ-
ÚË ·ÔÙÂÏÂÛÌ·ÙÈÎfiÙËÙ· ÙÔÓ Î›Ó‰˘ÓÔ ÙˆÓ ÂÈÚ·ÙÒÓ Ô˘
ÙfiÙ ÂÏÏfi¯Â˘Â ÛÙȘ ı¿Ï·ÛÛ˜ Ù˘ ªÂÛÔÁ›Ԣ. ªÂ ÙËÓ
΋ڢÍË Ù˘ ∂·Ó·ÛÙ¿Ûˆ˜ ÛÙËÓ ¶ÂÏÔfiÓÓËÛÔ, Ù· ›‰È·
ÂÌÔÚÈο ÏÔ›· ÌÂÙ·ÙÚ¿ËÎ·Ó Û ÔÏÂÌÈο. ∞˘Ùfi˜ Ô
ÛÙfiÏÔ˜ Ì ÙÔÓ ÙfiÛÔ ÂÚÈÔÚÈṲ̂ÓÔ ÔÏÈÛÌfi, Û·ÊÒ˜ ‰ÂÓ
‹Ù·Ó Û ı¤ÛË Ó· ·ÓÙÈÌÂÙˆ›ÛÂÈ Û ηÓÔÓÈ΋ Ó·˘Ì·¯›· Ù·
ÏÔ›· ÁÚ·ÌÌ‹˜ ÙÔ˘ ÔıˆÌ·ÓÈÎÔ‡ ÛÙfiÏÔ˘ Ì ÙȘ ‰‡Ô ‹
ÙÚÂȘ ÛÂÈÚ¤˜ ηÓÔÓÈÒÓ. ∂Λ fï˜ Ô˘ ˘ÂÚ›¯·Ó ÔÈ
ŒÏÏËÓ˜, Û' ·˘Ù‹ ÙËÓ ¿ÓÈÛË ·Ó·Ì¤ÙÚËÛË, ‹Ù·Ó Ë ··Ú¿-
ÌÈÏÏË Ó·˘ÙÔÛ‡ÓË ÙˆÓ Î·ÂÙ·Ó·›ˆÓ Î·È ÏËڈ̿وÓ,
Ô˘ ηÙfiÚıˆÓ·Ó Ì ÙÔÓ Âȉ¤ÍÈÔ ¯ÂÈÚÈÛÌfi ÙˆÓ ÌÈÎÚÒÓ
·ÏÏ¿ ¢¤ÏÈÎÙˆÓ ÏÔ›ˆÓ ÙÔ˘˜, Ó· ÂÈÎÚ·ÙÔ‡Ó ÙˆÓ ˘ÛÙÂ-
ÚÔ‡ÓÙˆÓ Û ÔÚÁ¿ÓˆÛË Î·È ·ÔÙÂÏÂÛÌ·ÙÈÎfiÙËÙ· ÙÔ˘ÚÎÈ-
ÎÒÓ ÔÏÂÌÈÎÒÓ ÏÔ›ˆÓ.
OÈ ÂÏÏËÓÈΤ˜ Ó·˘ÙÈΤ˜ ‰˘Ó¿ÌÂȘ ›¯·Ó ÚÔÂÙÔÈÌ·ÛÙ› ηÈ
‹Ù·Ó ¤ÙÔÈ̘ Ó· ‰ÈÂÍ¿ÁÔ˘Ó ÙÔ ¡·˘ÙÈÎfi ∞ÁÒÓ·. ∏ ÛÎÏËÚ‹
Î·È ÁÂÌ¿ÙË ÎÈÓ‰‡ÓÔ˘˜ ˙ˆ‹ ÛÙË ı¿Ï·ÛÛ· ›¯Â ÌÂÙ·ÙÚ¤„ÂÈ
Ù· ÏËÚÒÌ·Ù· ÙˆÓ ÏÔ›ˆÓ, Ô˘ ·ÔÙÂÏÔ‡ÓÙ·Ó Î˘Ú›ˆ˜
·fi ÙÔ˘˜ ηÙÔ›ÎÔ˘˜ ÙˆÓ ÓËÛÈÒÓ, Û Âȉ¤ÍÈÔ˘˜ ηÈ
ÛÎÏËÚÔÙÚ¿¯ËÏÔ˘˜ ı·Ï·ÛÛfiÏ˘ÎÔ˘˜. ªÂ Ù· ηڿ‚È· ÙÔ˘˜
›¯·Ó Û˘ÓËı›ÛÂÈ Ó· ·ÓÙÈÌÂÙˆ›˙Ô˘Ó fi¯È ÌfiÓÔ ÙȘ ÙÚÈ΢-
̛˜ Î·È ÙȘ ηٷÈÁ›‰Â˜ ·ÏÏ¿ Î·È ÙÔ˘˜ ·‰›ÛÙ·ÎÙÔ˘˜ ÂÈ-
Ú·Ù¤˜ Î·È ÎÔ˘ÚÛ¿ÚÔ˘˜ Ô˘ Ï˘Ì·›ÓÔÓÙ·Ó ÙË ªÂÛfiÁÂÈÔ.
∫·Ù¿ ηÈÚÔ‡˜ Î·È ÔÈ ›‰ÈÔÈ Âȉ›‰ÔÓÙ·Ó ÛÙËÓ ÂÈÚ·Ù›·.
∞˘Ù¤˜ ÔÈ Û˘ÁÎÚÔ‡ÛÂȘ ÛÙË ı¿Ï·ÛÛ· Ô˘ Û ÔÏϤ˜
ÂÚÈÙÒÛÂȘ ¤·ÈÚÓ·Ó ÙË ÌÔÚÊ‹ Ú·ÁÌ·ÙÈÎÒÓ Ó·˘Ì·-
¯ÈÒÓ ÂÍ·ÛÎÔ‡Û·Ó Ù· ÏËÚÒÌ·Ù· ÙˆÓ ÏÔ›ˆÓ ÛÙËÓ Ù·ÎÙÈ-
΋ ÙÔ˘ ÔϤÌÔ˘ Î·È Î˘Ú›ˆ˜ ÙÔ˘ ·ÈÊÓȉȷÛÌÔ‡.
45
underlined by historic coincidences. The end of the
Russian-Turkish war, and the Kioutsouk Kainartzi treaty
(1768-1774), constituted a significant turning point.
According to this treaty, Hellenic ships, could raise the
Russian flag and sail freely through the Straits of Euxinus
Pontos. This resulted in passing into the hands of
Hellene merchants the transportation of Russian grain. In
addition, during this same period, the Napoleonic Wars
removed the predominant, up to then, French Navy from
the Mediterranean, thus providing the Hellenes with the
opportunity to strengthen their position in the commerce
of this area. Furthermore, the blockade imposed by the
British fleet to the ports of France, Spain, Italy and Malta,
was an opportunity for an extensive commercial activity
and quick enrichment. The Hellene ship-owners, in
defiance to the British war ships, used to break through
the blockade and supply the European ports with the
greatly demanded wheat. The profits made from these
operations were immense. A part of these was invested
in buildings and shipping activities, but the biggest part
was used to fund the Revolution of 1821.
Just prior to the Revolution, the Hellene ship-owners had
at their disposal the impressive number of about 1,000
merchant ships. Three islands had the biggest merchant
fleets: Hydra, Spetses and Psara. Most of the ships were
twin-masted brigs, with a displacement of 250 tons and
armed with 8 to 16 cannons, in order to more effectively
face the danger of pirates lurking in the seas of the
Mediterranean. Upon the declaration of war in the
Peloponnese, these same merchant ships were
converted into warships. This fleet, having such limited
armament, was clearly not in a position to face, in
regular battle the Ottoman ships of the line, armed with
two or three rows of cannons. In this unequal
confrontation, the Hellenes managed to excel in
unrivalled seamanship shown by the captains and crews
who, by skilful handling of their small but swift ships,
managed to prevail the Turkish warships that lacked
organization, maneuverability and efficiency.
The Hellenic naval forces proved to be prepared to carry
out the fight in the sea. The hard, and full of dangers, life
at sea, had transformed the ships' crews, who used to
come mostly from the islands, into skilful and hardened
mariners. With their ships, they not only faced rough
seas and storms, but also ruthless pirates and corsairs,
ravaging the Mediterranean. Sometimes, they would
become pirates themselves. These naval confrontations,
in many instances, used to take the form of actual naval
battles, training the ships' crews in battle tactics and
mainly, surprise attacks.
π‰È·›ÙÂÚ· fï˜ ÂÍ·Û΋ıËÎ·Ó ÔÈ ŒÏÏËÓ˜ Ó·˘ÙÈÎÔ› ηٿ
ÙËÓ ˘Ô¯ÚˆÙÈ΋ Ó·˘ÙÔÏfiÁËÛ‹ ÙÔ˘˜ ÛÙ· ÔÏÂÌÈο ηڿ-
‚È· Ù˘ OıˆÌ·ÓÈ΋˜ ∞˘ÙÔÎÚ·ÙÔÚ›·˜. ™‡Ìʈӷ Ì ÙÔÓ
ıÂÛÌfi ÙˆÓ ÌÂÏÏ¿¯Ë‰ˆÓ, fiÏÔÈ ÔÈ Ó·˘ÙfiÙÔÔÈ Î¿ı ¯ÚfiÓÔ,
·Ó¿ÏÔÁ· Ì ÙÔ ÏËı˘ÛÌfi ÙÔ˘˜, Û˘ÓÂÈÛ¤ÊÂÚ·Ó ¿Ó‰Ú˜
ÛÙ· ÏËÚÒÌ·Ù· ÙÔ˘ ÙÔ˘ÚÎÈÎÔ‡ ÛÙfiÏÔ˘. OÈ ·ÁˆÓÈÛÙ¤˜
ÙÔ˘ ∞ÈÁ·›Ô˘ ÙÔ 1821 ÏÔÈfiÓ, ›¯·Ó ÂÍÔÈÎÂȈı› Ì ÙËÓ
Ù¤¯ÓË ÙÔ˘ ÔϤÌÔ˘ ÛÙË ı¿Ï·ÛÛ· Î·È Ù·˘Ùfi¯ÚÔÓ· ÁÓÒ-
ÚÈ˙·Ó ÙËÓ Ù·ÎÙÈ΋ Î·È ÙȘ ·‰˘Ó·Ì›Â˜ ÙÔ˘ ·ÓÙÈ¿ÏÔ˘ ÙÔ˘˜,
ÂÍ·ÈÙ›·˜ Ù˘ ·ÎÔ‡ÛÈ·˜ ˘ËÚÂÛ›·˜ ÙÔ˘˜ Û’ ·˘ÙfiÓ.
OÈ ÏÔÈÔÎً٘ ÙˆÓ ÙÚÈÒÓ Ó·˘ÙÈÎÒÓ ÓËÛÈÒÓ ⁄‰Ú·˜ (186
ÏÔ›·), ™ÂÙÛÒÓ (64 ÏÔ›·) Î·È æ·ÚÒÓ (40 ÏÔ›·) ‰È¤ıÂ-
Û·Ó ÚÒÙÔÈ Ù· ÏÔ›· ÙÔ˘˜ ÁÈ· ÙÔÓ ∞ÁÒÓ· Ù˘ ∞ÓÂÍ·ÚÙË-
Û›·˜. ∞ÚÁfiÙÂÚ· ÚÔÛÙ¤ıËÎ·Ó ÔÈ ÌÈÎÚfiÙÂÚÔÈ ÛÙfiÏÔÈ ÙˆÓ
˘ÔÏÔ›ˆÓ ·ÈÁÈÔÂÏ·Á›ÙÈÎˆÓ ÓËÛÈÒÓ. ∂ÓÈ·›· ‰ÈÔ›ÎËÛË ‰ÂÓ
˘‹Ú¯Â. ∫·ı¤Ó· ·fi Ù· ÙÚ›· ÓËÛÈ¿ ›¯Â ÙÔ ‰ÈÎfi ÙÔ˘ Ó·‡-
·Ú¯Ô Î·È ˘ÔÓ·‡·Ú¯Ô, ˘‹Ú¯Â fï˜ Û˘ÓÙÔÓÈÛÌfi˜ ÙˆÓ
ÚÔÎÚ›ÙˆÓ ÙˆÓ ÓËÛÈÒÓ. ∆Ô ‰Â‡ÙÂÚÔ ¯ÚfiÓÔ ÙÔ˘ ÔϤÌÔ˘
·Ó·ÁÓˆÚ›ÛıËΠÛȈËÚ¿ Ë ÚˆÙÔηı‰ڛ· ÙÔ˘ À‰Ú·›Ô˘
Ó·˘¿Ú¯Ô˘ ∞Ó‰Ú¤· ªÈ·Ô‡ÏË, Ô ÔÔ›Ô˜ ‹Ù·Ó Ô Ú·ÁÌ·ÙÈ-
Îfi˜ ·Ú¯ËÁfi˜ ÙÔ˘ ÂÏÏËÓÈÎÔ‡ ¡·˘ÙÈÎÔ‡ Ù˘ ∂·Ó·ÛÙ¿ÛÂ-
ˆ˜, ·Ó Î·È ÂÈۋ̈˜ ‰ÂÓ ÙÔ˘ ·ÔÓÂÌ‹ıËΠÔÙ¤ ·˘Ùfi˜ Ô
Ù›ÙÏÔ˜.
∆Ô ‚·ÛÈÎfiÙÂÚÔ fiÏÔ ÙˆÓ ∂ÏÏ‹ÓˆÓ ı·Ï·ÛÛÔÌ¿¯ˆÓ ‹Ù·Ó
ÙÔ ˘ÚÔÏÈÎfi, Ì ÙÔ ÔÔ›Ô ÔÈ ·ÙÚfiÌËÙÔÈ ·ÁˆÓÈÛÙ¤˜ ÚÔ-
ηÏÔ‡Û·Ó ÛÔ‚·Ú¤˜ ˙ËÌȤ˜ Î·È Î˘ÚÈÔÏÂÎÙÈο ÙÚÔÌÔÎÚ·-
ÙÔ‡Û·Ó ÙÔ˘˜ ·ÓÙÈ¿ÏÔ˘˜ ÙÔ˘˜. O æ·ÚÈ·Ófi˜ ¢ËÌ‹ÙÚÈÔ˜
¶··ÓÈÎÔÏ‹˜ ·Ó·ÙÈÓ¿˙ÂÈ Ì ÙÔ ˘ÚÔÏÈÎfi ÙÔ˘ ÙÔ ÙÔ˘ÚÎÈ-
Îfi ‰›ÎÚÔÙÔ ÛÙËÓ ∂ÚÂÛÛfi Ù˘ §¤Û‚Ô˘, Ô ∫ˆÓÛÙ·ÓÙ›ÓÔ˜
∫·Ó¿Ú˘ ·Ó·ÙÈÓ¿˙ÂÈ ¤Ó· ‰›ÎÚÔÙÔ ÛÙËÓ ∆¤ÓÂ‰Ô Î·È ÙËÓ
ÙÔ˘ÚÎÈ΋ Ó·˘·Ú¯›‰· ÛÙË Ã›Ô ·Ó·‰ÂÈÎÓ˘fiÌÂÓÔ˜ ÙÂÏÈο
ÛÙÔÓ ıÚ˘ÏÈÎfi ÌÔ˘ÚÏÔÙȤÚË ÙÔÓ ÔÔ›Ô ¤ÙÚÂÌ ÙÔ ÙÔ˘ÚÎÈ-
Îfi Ó·˘ÙÈÎfi. O À‰Ú·›Ô˜ ∞ÓÙÒÓ˘ ƒ·Ê·ÏÈ¿˜ ˘ÚÔÏ›
‰›ÎÚÔÙÔ ÛÙȘ Ó·˘ÙÈΤ˜ ÂȯÂÈÚ‹ÛÂȘ Ù˘ ™¿ÌÔ˘ ÙÔÓ πÔ‡ÏÈÔ
ÙÔ˘ 1822. O ∞Ó‰Ú¤·˜ ªÈ·Ô‡Ï˘ Ì ÙËÓ ··Ú¿ÌÈÏÏ‹ ÙÔ˘
‰ÂÈÓfiÙËÙ· Ó· Û˘ÏÏ·Ì‚¿ÓÂÈ Î·È Ó· ·ÍÈÔÔÈ› fiÏ· Ù· ‰Â‰Ô-
̤ӷ ÙÔ˘ ηٿ ı¿Ï·ÛÛ· ÔϤÌÔ˘ ηÙÔÚıÒÓÂÈ Ó· Û˘ÓÙÚ›-
„ÂÈ ÙÔ˘˜ ∆Ô‡ÚÎÔ˘˜ Û ¿ÌÔÏϘ Ó·˘Ì·¯›Â˜.
OÈ Âӈ̤ÓÔÈ ÛÙfiÏÔÈ ÙˆÓ ÙÚÈÒÓ ÓËÛÈÒÓ ÌÂٷʤÚÔ˘Ó ÙÔ
Â·Ó·ÛÙ·ÙÈÎfi Îϛ̷ Û fiÏ· Ù· ÓËÛÈ¿, ÂÓÈÛ¯‡Ô˘Ó ÙȘ ¯ÂÚ-
Û·›Â˜ ÂȯÂÈÚ‹ÛÂȘ Û ·Ú¿ÏȘ ÂÚÈÔ¯¤˜, ·ÓÂÊԉȿ˙Ô˘Ó
ÂÏÏËÓÈο ÊÚÔ‡ÚÈ·, ·ÓÙÈÛÙÔ›¯ˆ˜ ÔÏÈÔÚÎÔ‡Ó Ù· ÙÔ˘ÚÎÈο
Î·È ÚÔ·ÓÙfi˜ ‰ÂÓ ÂÈÙÚ¤Ô˘Ó ÛÙÔ˘˜ ∆Ô‡ÚÎÔ˘˜ Ó·
ÌÂٷʤÚÔ˘Ó ÛÙÚ·Ùfi Î·È ÂÊfi‰È· ÛÙȘ Â·Ó·ÛÙ·ÙË̤Ó˜
ÂÏÏËÓÈΤ˜ ÂÚÈÔ¯¤˜.
∏ ÚÔÛÂÎÙÈ΋ ÌÂϤÙË Ù˘ ÈÛÙÔÚ›·˜ ÙÔ˘ ∞ÁÒÓ· ·Ô‰ÂÈ-
ÎÓ‡ÂÈ, ¤Ú· ·fi οı ·ÌÊÈ‚ÔÏ›·, fiÙÈ ¯ˆÚ›˜ ÙÔ Ó·˘ÙÈÎfi Ë
∂·Ó¿ÛÙ·ÛË ‰ÂÓ ı· ›¯Â ÂÂÎÙ·ı› ¤Ú· ·fi ÙËÓ ¶ÂÏÔ-
fiÓÓËÛÔ, ‰ÂÓ ı· ›¯Â ÛÙÂÚÈÒÛÂÈ Î·È ÙÂÏÈο ‰ÂÓ ı· ›¯Â
ÂÈÎÚ·Ù‹ÛÂÈ.
™ÙȘ ·Ú¯¤˜ ÙÔ˘ 1825 ·ÚÔ˘ÛÈ¿ÛıËÎ·Ó Ù· ÚÒÙ· ÛËÌ¿-
‰È· Ù˘ ˘ÏÈ΋˜ ÂÍ¿ÓÙÏËÛ˘. ¶ÔÏÏ¿ ÏÔ›· ›¯·Ó ηٷ-
ÛÙÚ·Ê› ÂÍ·ÈÙ›·˜ Ù˘ ÌÂÙ·ÙÚÔ‹˜ ÙÔ˘˜ Û ˘ÚÔÏÈο,
fiÛ· ·¤ÌÂÓ·Ó Â›¯·Ó ÛÔ‚·Ú¤˜ ÊıÔÚ¤˜ ÂÍ·ÈÙ›·˜ ÙˆÓ
46
Obligatory recruitment on the Ottoman Empire warships
proved particularly instructive for Hellene mariners.
According to the institution of mellachides all seafaring
areas, depending on their population size, would
annually provide crews to the Turkish fleet. The Aegean
fighters, of 1821, were familiar with war tactics at sea
and, simultaneously, knew the weaknesses and
strategies of their opponent because of their involuntary
services to him.
The ship-owners of the three maritime islands of Hydra
(186 ships), Spetses (64 ships) and Psara (40 ships),
were the first to dispose their ships for the War of
Independence. Later on, the smaller fleets of the other
Aegean islands were added. There was no unified
command. Each of the three islands had its own admiral
and vice-admiral. There was, however, a co-ordination
among the island leaders. By the second year of the war,
the precedence of the admiral of Hydra, Andreas
Miaoulis, was tacitly acknowledged. He was the true
commander-in-chief of the Hellenic Navy of the
Revolution, even though he was never officially awarded
with this title.
The most important weapon of the Hellene naval fighters
was the fire ship, with which, the fearless fighters would
cause serious damages and literally intimidate their
opponents. Dimitrios Papanikolis, from Psara, blows up a
Turkish two-decker, with his fire-ship at Eressos in
Lesvos and Constantinos Kanaris blows up a two-decker
in Tenedos, and the Turkish flagship in Chios, becoming
the legendary fire-ship captain that terrorized the Turkish
navy. Antonis Rafalias, from Hydra, blows up a two-
decker in the naval operations at Samos in July of 1822.
Andreas Miaoulis, with his unrivalled ability to
comprehend and take advantage of all the data of the
war at sea, manages to crush the Turks in many naval
battles.
The unified fleets of the three islands spread the
revolutionary spirit to all islands and reinforce the land
operations in coastal areas. They supplied the Hellenic
fortifications and, respectively, besiege to Turkish ones
and, above all, do not allow the Turks to transport their
army and supplies to Hellenic areas that had already
rebelled.
Careful study of the War of Independence history proves
beyond any doubt, that without the navy, the Revolution
would not have spread outside the Peloponnese, would
not have been consolidated and would not finally prevail
throughout the country.
Beginning of 1825, the first signs of materials and
supplies exhaustion appeared. Many ships that had been
converted to fire-ships, had been destroyed and those
that remained, had sustained serious damages due to
Û˘Ó¯ÒÓ Û˘ÁÎÚÔ‡ÛÂˆÓ Î·È Ù· ȉȈÙÈο ÎÂÊ¿Ï·È·, Ô˘
ˆ˜ ÙfiÙÂ Û˘ÓÙËÚÔ‡Û·Ó Î·È ÂÊÔ‰›·˙·Ó ÙÔ ÛÙfiÏÔ, ›¯·Ó
ÂÍ·ÓÂÌÈÛı›.
∏ ÚÔÛˆÚÈÓ‹ ‰ÈÔ›ÎËÛË ÙˆÓ Â·Ó·ÛÙ·ÙËÌ¤ÓˆÓ ∂ÏÏ‹ÓˆÓ
ÊÚÔÓÙ›˙ÂÈ Ó· ÂÓÈÛ¯˘ı› Ô ÛÙfiÏÔ˜ Ì ÙËÓ ·ÁÔÚ¿ ‰‡Ô ηÈ-
ÓÔ‡ÚÁÈˆÓ ÔÏÂÌÈÎÒÓ ÏÔ›ˆÓ. ∏ ÊÚÂÁ¿Ù· “∂ÏÏ¿˜”, Ô˘
Ó·˘ËÁ‹ıËΠÛÙËÓ ∞ÌÂÚÈ΋ Î·È ÙÔ ÙÚÔ¯‹Ï·ÙÔ ·ÙÌfiÏÔÈÔ
“∫·ÚÙÂÚ›·”, Ô˘ ηٷÛ΢¿ÛÙËΠÛÙËÓ ∞ÁÁÏ›·, ¤ÁÈÓ·Ó
Ù· ÚÒÙ· ÂıÓÈο Ì·˜ ÏÔ›·, Ù· ÔÔ›· η٤Êı·Û·Ó ÛÙËÓ
∂ÏÏ¿‰· ÙÔ 1826.
O ·ÁÒÓ·˜ Á›ÓÂÙ·È ‰˘ÛÎÔÏfiÙÂÚÔ˜ ηıÒ˜ Ô Î·Ï‡ÙÂÚ·
ÔÚÁ·ÓˆÌ¤ÓÔ˜ ·ÈÁ˘ÙÈ·Îfi˜ ÛÙfiÏÔ˜ ÂÌÊ·Ó›˙ÂÙ·È ÛÙÔ
∞ÈÁ·›Ô ÚÔ˜ ÂÓ›Û¯˘ÛË ÙˆÓ ÙÔ˘ÚÎÈÎÒÓ ‰˘Ó¿ÌÂˆÓ Î·È Ù·
ÛÙÚ·Ù‡̷ٷ ÙÔ˘ πÌÚ·‹Ì ‰ËÒÓÔ˘Ó ÙË ÛÙÂÚÈ¿, ı¤ÙÔÓÙ·˜
Û ÛÔ‚·ÚfiÙ·ÙÔ Î›Ó‰˘ÓÔ ÙËÓ ˘fiıÂÛË Ù˘ ·ÂÏ¢ı¤Úˆ-
Û˘ ÙˆÓ ∂ÏÏ‹ÓˆÓ.
™ÙȘ ‰‡ÛÎÔϘ ÂΛӘ ÒÚ˜ ηıÔÚÈÛÙÈÎfi ÚfiÏÔ ı· ‰È·-
‰Ú·Ì·Ù›ÛÂÈ Î·È ¿ÏÈ Ë ‰ÈÂıÓ‹˜ Û˘Á΢ڛ· Ô˘ ÎÏ›ÓÂÈ ÙËÓ
Ï¿ÛÙÈÁÁ· ÚÔ˜ ÙÔ Ì¤ÚÔ˜ ÙˆÓ ∂ÏÏ‹ÓˆÓ. ∆Ô Î‡Ì· ÙÔ˘
ÊÈÏÂÏÏËÓÈÛÌÔ‡ Ô˘ ÌÂÁ·ÏÒÓÂÈ ÛÙËÓ ∂˘ÚÒË, Ë ·ÏÏ·Á‹
Ù˘ Â͈ÙÂÚÈ΋˜ ÔÏÈÙÈ΋˜ Ù˘ ∞ÁÁÏ›·˜ Ì ÙÔÓ ∫¿ÓÓÈÁÎ
Î·È Ë ·Ô‰˘Ó¿ÌˆÛË ÙÔ˘ A˘ÛÙÚÈ·ÎÔ‡ ηÁÎÂÏ·Ú›Ô˘ ª¤Ù-
ÙÂÚÓȯ, ı· ˆı‹ÛÔ˘Ó ÙȘ ÌÂÁ¿Ï˜ ‰˘Ó¿ÌÂȘ Ù˘ ÂÔ¯‹˜ ÛÂ
·ÔÊ·ÛÈÛÙÈΤ˜ ÂÓ¤ÚÁÂȘ ÁÈ· ÙËÓ Ï‡ÛË ÙÔ˘ ÂÏÏËÓÈÎÔ‡
˙ËÙ‹Ì·ÙÔ˜, ˘¤Ú ÙˆÓ Â·Ó·ÛÙ·ÙÒÓ, Ì ·ÔÎÔڇʈ̷
ÙËÓ ÂÚ›ÊËÌË ¡·˘Ì·¯›· ÙÔ˘ ¡·‚·Ú›ÓÔ˘.
™ÙȘ 20 OÎÙˆ‚Ú›Ô˘ ÙÔ˘ 1827, Ô ÙÔ˘ÚÎÔ·ÈÁ˘ÙÈ·Îfi˜ ÛÙfi-
ÏÔ˜ Ô˘ ›¯Â Û˘ÁÎÂÓÙÚˆı› ÛÙÔÓ fiÚÌÔ Ù˘ ¶‡ÏÔ˘
(¡·‚·Ú›ÓÔ) ÁÈ· Ó· ‚ÔËı‹ÛÂÈ ÙÔÓ πÌÚ·‹Ì Ó· ηٷÓ›ÍÂÈ
ÙËÓ ∂·Ó¿ÛÙ·ÛË ÛÙËÓ ¶ÂÏÔfiÓÓËÛÔ, ˘¤ÛÙË Û˘ÓÙÚÈÙÈ-
΋ ‹ÙÙ· ·fi ÙÔ˘˜ Âӈ̤ÓÔ˘˜ ÛÙfiÏÔ˘˜ ªÂÁ¿Ï˘ µÚÂÙÙ·-
Ó›·˜, °·ÏÏ›·˜ Î·È ƒˆÛ›·˜. ∂ÈÎÂÊ·Ï‹˜ ÙÔ˘˜ ‹Û·Ó ÔÈ Ó·‡-
·Ú¯ÔÈ ∂‰Ô˘¿Ú‰Ô˜ ∫fi‰ÚÈÁÎÙÔÓ, ∂ÚÚ›ÎÔ˜ ¢ÂÚÈÁÓ‡ ηÈ
§ÔÁÁ›ÓÔ˜ 䢉ÂÓ ·ÓÙ›ÛÙÔȯ·.
∏ ¤Î‚·ÛË Ù˘ Ó·˘Ì·¯›·˜ ¤Î·Ó ϤÔÓ ÂÊÈÎÙ‹ ÙËÓ È‰¤·
Ù˘ ‰ËÌÈÔ˘ÚÁ›·˜ ÂÓfi˜ Ï‹Úˆ˜ ·ÓÂÍ¿ÚÙËÙÔ˘ ÂÏÏËÓÈÎÔ‡
ÎÚ¿ÙÔ˘˜. OÈ ŒÏÏËÓ˜ ¤ÂÈÙ· ·fi 400 ¯ÚfiÓÈ· ÛÎÏ·‚È¿˜,
·Ì¤ÙÚËÙˆÓ ·ÈÌ·ÙÔ¯˘ÛÈÒÓ Î·È ı˘ÛÈÒÓ, ÂÈÙ¤ÏÔ˘˜ ¤‚ÏÂ·Ó
ÙËÓ Ë̤ڷ Ù˘ ·ÂÏ¢ı¤ÚˆÛ˘ Ó· ¯·Ú¿˙ÂÈ ÛÙÔÓ ÔÚ›˙Ô-
ÓÙ·.
∆Ô ·ÔÙ¤ÏÂÛÌ· Ù˘ N·˘Ì·¯›·˜ ÙÔ˘ ¡·‚·Ú›ÓÔ˘, ηٿ
ÁÂÓÈ΋ ·Ú·‰Ô¯‹, ·ÂÙ¤ÏÂÛ ÙÔÓ Î·Ù·Ï‡ÙË ÁÈ· Ì›· ÛÂÈÚ¿
ÂÍÂϛ͈Ó. OÈ ÌÂÓ ŒÏÏËÓ˜ ÌÔÚÔ‡Û·Ó ϤÔÓ Ó· ÂÏ›-
˙Ô˘Ó ÛÙË ‰ËÌÈÔ˘ÚÁ›· ÂÓfi˜ Ï‹Úˆ˜ ∞ÓÂÍ¿ÚÙËÙÔ˘ ∂ÏÏËÓÈ-
ÎÔ‡ ÎÚ¿ÙÔ˘˜. OÈ ‰Â Â˘Úˆ·˚ÎÔ› Ï·Ô› ¤‚ÏÂ·Ó Ó· ηٷ-
χÂÙ·È Ë «∞Ú¯‹ Ù˘ ÓÔÌÈÌfiÙËÙ·˜», Ô˘ ›¯Â ıÂÛÈÛÙ› ÙÔ
1815, Î·È ÚÔÛٿ٢ ÙËÓ Â‰·ÊÈ΋ ·ÎÂÚ·ÈfiÙËÙ· ÙˆÓ
ÌÂÁ¿ÏˆÓ ·˘ÙÔÎÚ·ÙÔÚÈÒÓ, ÛÙÂÚÒÓÙ·˜ ·fi ÙÔ˘˜ Ï·Ô‡˜ ÙÔ
‰Èη›ˆÌ· Ù˘ ÂıÓÈ΋˜ ·ÓÂÍ·ÚÙËÛ›·˜. ∏ N·˘Ì·¯›· ÙÔ˘
¡·‚·Ú›ÓÔ˘ ·ÔÙÂÏ› ¤Ó· ÛËÌ·ÓÙÈÎfi ÁÂÁÔÓfi˜ fi¯È ÌfiÓÔ
Ù˘ ÂÏÏËÓÈ΋˜ ·ÏÏ¿ Î·È Ù˘ Â˘Úˆ·˚΋˜ ÈÛÙÔÚ›·˜ ÁÂÓÈÎfi-
ÙÂÚ·.
47
their continuous battles. The private funding that helped
to maintain and supply the fleet, up to then, had been
exhausted.
The provisional administration of the revolutionary
Hellenes, reinforced the fleet with the purchase of two
new warships. The frigate “Hellas”, which was built in
USA and the paddle-steamer “Karteria”, which was built
in Britain, became our first national ships that arrived at
Hellas in 1826.
The fight for independence became more difficult as the
better organized Egyptian fleet made its appearance in
the Aegean, in reinforcement of the Turkish forces, and
Ibrahim's forces in parallel plundered the land, placing
the cause of the Hellenic liberation in serious danger.
In these difficult hours, the decisive role was again
played by international conjuncture, which weighed the
scales in the Hellenes favour. The wave of philhellenism
sweeping through Europe, the change in English foreign
policy headed by Canning, and the weakening of the
Austrian Chancellor Metternich's influence, prompted the
great powers towards decisive actions in solving the
Hellenic issue in favour of the revolutionaries,
culminating in the famous Naval Battle at Navarino.
On the 20th of October 1827, the Turkish-Egyptian fleet,
which had assembled in the bay of Pylos (Navarino), to
assist Ibrahim in smothering the revolution in the
Peloponnese, suffered a crushing defeat by the unified
fleets of Great Britain, France and Russia. They were
commanded by Admirals Edward Codrington, Henry
Derigny and Longine Heiden respectively.
The outcome of this naval battle made the idea of the
creation of a fully independent Hellenic state, feasible.
The Hellenes, after 400 years of enslavement, countless
sacrifices and bloodsheds, could at last envision the day
of their liberation, dawning in the horizon.
The result of the Naval Battle of Navarino, as generally
accepted, was the catalyst for a series of developments.
On one hand, the Hellenes could now hope for the
creation of a fully independent Hellenic state. On the
other, the European people, saw that the “Principle of
Legality”, instituted in 1815, for the protection of the
great empires' territorial integrity and depriving people
from their rights to national independence, was being
abolished. The Naval Battle of Navarino, constituted a
significant event, not only in Hellenic history, but also
European history in general.
 ¶ÚÔÂ·Ó·ÛÙ·ÙÈο ¯ÚfiÓÈ· Î·È ÙÔ N·˘ÙÈÎfi ÙÔ˘ 1821.
The years prior to the Hellenic War of Independence and the Navy of 1821.

1. §ÈıÔÁÚ·Ê›· Ì ÙËÓ N·˘Ì·¯›· Ù˘ ¡·˘¿ÎÙÔ˘. ∞Ú. ™˘ÏÏÔÁ‹˜: 129

∆ËÓ 7Ë OÎÙˆ‚Ú›Ô˘ ÙÔ˘ 1571 ¤Ï·‚ ¯ÒÚ· Ë ÂÚ›ÊËÌË Ó·˘Ì·¯›· ηٿ ÙËÓ ÔÔ›· ÎÔÚ˘ÊÒıËÎÂ Ë Û‡ÁÎÚÔ˘ÛË ÌÂٷ͇ ÙˆÓ Âӈ̤ӈÓ
¯ÚÈÛÙÈ·ÓÈÎÒÓ ÛÙfiÏˆÓ Ù˘ µÂÓÂÙ›·˜ Î·È πÛ·Ó›·˜ Ì ÙÔ˘˜ OıˆÌ·ÓÔ‡˜-TÔ‡ÚÎÔ˘˜ ÁÈ· ÙËÓ Î˘ÚÈ·Ú¯›· ÛÙËÓ ·Ó·ÙÔÏÈ΋ ªÂÛfiÁÂÈÔ. ∞Ó¿ÌÂ-
Û· ÛÙ· ¯ÚÈÛÙÈ·ÓÈο ηڿ‚È· ‹Ù·Ó Î·È ÔÏÏ¿ Ì ÂÏÏËÓÈο ÏËÚÒÌ·Ù· (∫ÚËÙÈÎÔ‡˜ Î·È ∂Ù·Ó‹ÛÈÔ˘˜). OÈ ‰‡Ô ÛÙfiÏÔÈ Û˘ÁÎÚÔ‡ÛÙËηÓ
ÛÙËÓ Â›ÛÔ‰Ô ÙÔ˘ ¶·ÙÚ·˚ÎÔ‡ ∫fiÏÔ˘ Î·È Ë Ó·˘Ì·¯›· η٤ÏËÍ ÛÙËÓ ÌÂÁ·ÏÂÈÒ‰Ë Ó›ÎË ÙˆÓ ¯ÚÈÛÙÈ·ÓÒÓ. «∆ËÓ Ë̤ڷ ÂΛÓË ‰È·Ï‡ıËÎÂ
Û fiÏÔ ÙÔÓ ÎfiÛÌÔ Ë ÂÔ›ıËÛË fiÙÈ ÔÈ ∆Ô‡ÚÎÔÈ Â›Ó·È ·‹ÙÙËÙÔÈ» ¤ÁÚ·ÊÂ Ô ÂÚ›ÊËÌÔ˜ πÛ·Ófi˜ Û˘ÁÁڷʤ·˜ £ÂÚ‚¿ÓÙ˜, Ô˘ Û˘ÌÌÂÙ›-
¯Â ÛÙË Ó·˘Ì·¯›· ηٿ ÙËÓ ÔÔ›· ¤¯·Û ÙÔ ¯¤ÚÈ ÙÔ˘. ™ÙË ¯·ÏÎÔÁÚ·Ê›· ‰È·ÎÚ›ÓÔÓÙ·È ÔÈ ı¤ÛÂȘ ÙˆÓ ·ÓÙÈ¿ÏˆÓ ÛÙfiψÓ.

1. Copper plate engraving depicting the Naval Battle of Lepanto. Collection No: 129
On 7th October 1571, the famous naval battle took place, during which, the conflict between the allied Christian fleets of Venice and
Spain and the Ottoman Turks reached its highest peak, for the supremacy in the Eastern Mediterranean. Among the Christian ships,
were many manned with Hellenic crews from Crete and Eptanisos. The two fleets confronted each other at the entrance of the Bay of
Patras and the battle ended with a magnificent victory for the Christians. The famous author, Cervantes, who fought in this battle,
during which he lost his arm, wrote; “On that day, the world wide belief that the Turks were invincible, was dispelled”. In the copper
plate engraving, the positions of the opposing fleets are discerned.

48
 2

2. ¶ÂÈÚ·ÙÈο ÙÛÂÎÔ‡ÚÈ· ÙÔ˘ 18Ô˘ ·ÈÒÓ· ·fi Ù· ÷ÓÈ¿ Ù˘ ∫Ú‹Ù˘. OÈ

ÂÈÚ·Ù¤˜ Ù· ¯ÚËÛÈÌÔÔÈÔ‡Û·Ó Î·Ù¿ ÙÔ ÚÂÛ¿ÏÙÔ.
∞Ú. ™˘ÏÏÔÁ‹˜: 142-143

2. 18th century pirate axes from Chania, Crete. The pirates would use
them when storming a ship. Collection Nos: 142-143
3

3. °Ú·Ù‹ ¿‰ÂÈ· Ó·˘ÛÈÏÔ˝·˜ ÛÙÔ ÌÚ›ÎÈ “∂·ÌÂÈÓÒÓ‰·˜”, Ó·

ʤÚÂÈ ÙËÓ ÚˆÛÈ΋ ÛËÌ·›· Î·È Ó· ‰È·ϤÂÈ ÙË ªÂÛfiÁÂÈÔ. ™˘ÓÔ-
‰Â‡ÂÙ·È Î·È ÂÈ΢ÚÒÓÂÙ·È ·fi ÙË ÚˆÛÈ΋ ·˘ÙÔÎÚ·ÙÔÚÈ΋
µÔ‡Ï·. º¤ÚÂÈ ÙËÓ ¯ÚÔÓÔÏÔÁ›· 1801. ∞Ú. ™˘ÏÏÔÁ‹˜: 1.215

3. A written permission for the brig “Epaminondas” to fly the

Russian flag and navigate in the Mediterranean. It is sealed and
sanctioned by the Russian imperial seal. Dated in 1801.
Collection No: 1,215

4. OÈ ÙÚ›‚ÔÏÔÈ Â›Ó·È ÙÂÙÚ·ÍÔÓÈο

ÛȉÂÚ¤ÓÈ· ηÚÊÈ¿ Ô˘ ÛÎÔÚ›˙ÔÓÙ·Ó
ÛÙÔ Î·Ù¿ÛÙڈ̷ ÙˆÓ ÏÔ›ˆÓ fiÙ·Ó
‰¤¯ÔÓÙ·Ó ÂÈÚ·ÙÈΤ˜ ÂÈı¤ÛÂȘ, ÒÛÙÂ
Ó· ·ÙÔ‡Ó Î·È Ó· ÙÚ·˘Ì·Ù›˙ÔÓÙ·È ÔÈ
Á˘ÌÓfiԉ˜ ÂÈÚ·Ù¤˜. ∆¤ÙÔÈ· ηÚ-
ÊÈ¿ ¯ÚËÛÈÌÔÔÈ‹ıËÎ·Ó ·fi ÙÔÓ
ÌÂÛ·›ˆÓ· ̤¯ÚÈ Î·È ÙȘ ·Ú¯¤˜ ÙÔ˘
19Ô˘ ·ÈÒÓ·. ∞Ú. ™˘ÏÏÔÁ‹˜: 330

4. The trivoli were four-axis iron nails

that were strew on the ships' decks
when they were under pirate attacks, 4
so that the bare-footed pirates would
step on them and injure themselves.
These nails were used from the
Middle Ages until the beginning of
the 19th century. Collection No: 330

49
 5

5. ÿÏÎÈÓÔ ÔÈÛıÔÁÂ̤˜ ˘ÚÔ‚fiÏÔ ÙÔ˘ 15Ô˘ ·ÈÒÓ· Ô˘ ·Ó·Û‡ÚıËΠ·fi ÙÔ ‚˘ıfi Ù˘ ÂÚÈÔ¯‹˜ Ù˘ ¡·˘¿ÎÙÔ˘.
(¶·Ú·¯ÒÚËÛË Ù˘ πÛÙÔÚÈ΋˜ Î·È ∂ıÓÔÏÔÁÈ΋˜ ∂Ù·ÈÚ›·˜ Ù˘ ∂ÏÏ¿‰Ô˜).

5. Cooper breach-loader cannon of the 15th century risen from the seabed in the area of Nafpaktos.
(Ceded by the Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece).

ñ
6. OÌÔ›ˆÌ· ÂÓÂÙÈ΋˜ Á·Ï¤Ú·˜. ∞Ú. ™˘ÏÏÔÁ‹˜: 131
∫ˆ‹Ï·ÙÔ ÈÛÙÈÔÊfiÚÔ ÏÔ›Ô Ì ÙÔ ÔÔ›Ô Ë °·ÏËÓÔÙ¿ÙË ¢ËÌÔÎÚ·Ù›· ‰ڷ›ˆÛ ÙË ı·Ï·ÛÛÈÓ‹ Ù˘ ΢ÚÈ·Ú¯›· ÛÙËÓ ·Ó·ÙÔÏÈ΋ ªÂÛfiÁÂÈÔ
·fi ÙÔÓ 12Ô ·ÈÒÓ· Ì.Ã. ¤ˆ˜ ÙȘ ·Ú¯¤˜ ÙÔ˘ 18Ô˘. OÈ Á·Ï¤Ú˜ ¤ÏÎÔ˘Ó ÙËÓ Î·Ù·ÁˆÁ‹ ÙÔ˘˜ ·fi ÙÔ ‚˘˙·ÓÙÈÓfi ‰Úfïӷ, Î·È ‰Â˘ÙÂÚ¢fi-
ÓÙˆ˜ ¯ÚËÛÈÌÔÔÈÔ‡ÓÙÔ Î·È ˆ˜ ÂÌÔÚÈο. O ÔÏÈÛÌfi˜ ÙÔ˘˜ ·ÔÙÂÏ›ÙÔ ·fi ÚˆÚ·›· ˘ÚÔ‚fiÏ·. ∆¤ÙÔÈÔ˘ ›‰Ô˘˜ ÏÔ›· ¤Ï·‚·Ó ̤ÚÔ˜
ÛÙË ¡·˘Ì·¯›· Ù˘ ¡·˘¿ÎÙÔ˘ Î·È ÛÙÔ˘˜ ‚ÂÓÂÙÔÙÔ˘ÚÎÈÎÔ‡˜ ÔϤÌÔ˘˜ ÙÔ˘ 17Ô˘ ·ÈÒÓ·.

6. Model of a venetian galley. Collection No: 131

A sailing ship with oars, with which, the “Serene Democracy” consolidated its supremacy at sea in the eastern Mediterranean, from
the 12th century A.D., until the beginning of the 18th century. Galleys were descended from the Byzantine dromons and, as a
secondary role, were also used as merchant ships. Their armament consisted of fore guns. These types of ships, took part in the
Naval Battle of Lepanto, and in the Venetian-Turkish wars during the 17th century.

ñ
7. OÌÔ›ˆÌ· „·ÚÈ·Ó‹˜ Á·ÏÈfiÙ·˜. ∞Ú. ™˘ÏÏÔÁ‹˜: 132
∆·¯‡ÏÔÔ Îˆ‹Ï·ÙÔ ÏÔ›Ô Ì ÈÛÙ›·. ÃÚËÛÈÌÔÔÈ‹ıËΠ·fi ÙÔ˘˜ æ·ÚÈ·ÓÔ‡˜ ÛÙÔ ∞ÈÁ·›Ô ηٿ ÙÔÓ 18Ô Î·È 19Ô ·ÈÒÓ·. ∫·Ù¿ÁÂÙ·È ·fi
ÙËÓ ÂÓÂÙÈ΋ ÔÏÂÌÈ΋ Á·Ï¤Ú· ·ÏÏ¿ Â›Ó·È ÌÈÎÚfiÙÂÚÔ ÛοÊÔ˜, ηٿÏÏËÏÔ ÁÈ· ηٷ‰ÚÔ̤˜, ÂÈÚ·Ù›· ·ÏÏ¿ Î·È ÌÂÙ·ÊÔÚ¤˜. ∞Ó¿ÏÔÁ· ÌÂ
ÙÔ Ì¤ÁÂıfi˜ ÙÔ˘, ‰È¤ıÂÙ 8 ¤ˆ˜ 16 ÎÔ˘È¿ Û οı ÏÂ˘Ú¿ Î·È ‰‡Ô ‹ ÙÚÂȘ ÈÛÙÔ‡˜ Ì ·ÓÈ¿ Ï·Ù›ÓÈ·. ∂›¯Â ‰‡Ô ¤ˆ˜ ¤ÍÈ ÌÈÎÚ¿ ηÓfiÓÈ·
ÛÙËÓ ÏÒÚË Î·È Ë ‰È·Î˘‚¤ÚÓËÛ‹ ÙÔ˘ ÁÈÓfiÙ·Ó ·fi ÙÈÌfiÓÈ Ô˘ ‚ÚÈÛÎfiÙ·Ó ÛÙÔ Ì¤ÛÔÓ Ù˘ Ú‡ÌÓ˘. ∞ӷʤÚÂÙ·È ˆ˜ ÛÙËÓ Â·Ó¿ÛÙ·ÛË
ÙÔ˘ 1770, Ô˘ ͤÛ·Û ηٿ ÙË ‰È¿ÚÎÂÈ· ÙÔ˘ ƒˆÛÔÙÔ˘ÚÎÈÎÔ‡ ¶ÔϤÌÔ˘ ÙÔ˘ 1768-1774, ÔÈ æ·ÚÈ·ÓÔ› ‰È¤ıÂÛ·Ó ÛÙÔ˘˜ ƒÒÛÔ˘˜ 36
Û·ÎÔϤ‚˜ Î·È Á·ÏÈfiÙ˜. ∏ ÌÈÎÚfiÙÂÚË ·fi ÙȘ Á·ÏÈfiÙ˜ ›¯Â Ì‹ÎÔ˜ 25 ‹¯Â˜ ÛÙËÓ Î·Ú›Ó·, 16 ˙¢Á¿ÚÈ· ÎÔ˘ÈÒÓ Î·È ϋڈ̷ 80
¿Ó‰Ú˜. ¢È·‰Ú·Ì¿ÙÈÛ ȉȷ›ÙÂÚÔ ÚfiÏÔ ÛÙȘ ÔÏÂÌÈΤ˜ ÂȯÂÈÚ‹ÛÂȘ ηٿ ÙË ‰È¿ÚÎÂÈ· Ù˘ ∂ÏÏËÓÈ΋˜ ∂·Ó¿ÛÙ·Û˘ ÙÔ˘ 1821.

7. Model of a galiot from the island of Psara. Collection No: 132

Swift, oar-powered ship with sails. The inhabitants of Psara in the Aegean used it during the 18th and 19th centuries. It was
descended from the Venetian war galley but it was smaller in size. It was used for raiding and piracy but also for transportation.
Depending on its size, it would have 8 to 16 oars on each side and two, or three, masts with lateen sails. The galiot was armed with
two to six fore small cannons, and was steered by a wheel situated in the middle of the stern deck. According to sources, in the
revolution of 1770, which broke out during the Russian-Turkish War (1768-1774), the islanders of Psara placed 36 sacoleves and
galiots at the disposal of the Russians. The smallest galiot had a keel length of 25 cubits, 16 pairs of oars and a crew of 80. It played a
very important role in naval operations during the Hellenic Revolution of 1821.

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