Assault Bireme, Auxiliary Spear Brothers

Description

The waterline ram was first mounted on a vessel in around 850BC. Warships and naval tactics were transformed. Ships were no longer platforms for infantry battles on the water; the ship itself became the weapon. Galleys changed as the new reality sank in. Ramming at speed would hole and sink an enemy, therefore slimmer, faster, handier ships were required. More speed on demand obviously required more oars a fast ship with a single row of oars ended up being stupidly, impractically long. The solution, then, was to put in a second set of oars above the first, but slightly offset to allow for rowers' benches. These biremes, a Latin word meaning 'two oars', or dieres, the Greek equivalent, were no longer than previous designs but had twice the number of rowers. They were fast, manoeuvrable, and could carry a fighting contingent. Some nations also gave their bireme crews fire pots; these clay pots filled with oil and pitch were hurled at enemy ships in the entirely reasonable hope of setting them ablaze.

In his heart of hearts, the German tribesman was a warrior and only a warrior. When not fighting, he was seeking out another fight. Only in battle could a man earn the glory and wealth needed to improve his position within the tribe. This was not an easy life, and only the toughest lived idly away from the battlefield. Others had to work, toiling in the fields and forests, awaiting glory that could be won in battle or by raiding against the tribe's enemies.