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The Ancient Ships ClipArt gallery offers 50 images of ships that were used in ancient times, mostly for the purpose of war.

A fleet of three ancient Anglo-Saxon ships, each with wind filling the lone sail. Each ship has a dragon head at the bow. The front ship has a curled, dragon tail at the stern. Several men occupy the decks of the ships. The ship of the right has a head on a pike displayed at its bow. A crow sits on and pecks at the head. Another crow sits on the mast of that ship.

Anglo-Saxon Ships with Wind in the Sails

A fleet of three ancient Anglo-Saxon ships, each with wind filling the lone sail. Each ship has a dragon…

"The yard of a ship. The ships of the ancients had a single mast in the middle, and a square sail, to raise and support which a transverse pole, or yard, was extended across the mast, not far from the top. To the two extremities of the yard, ropes were attached, which passed over the top of the mast, and thus supported the yard: these ropes were called ceruchi. Sometimes the yard had two, and at other times four ceruchi, as in the annexed cut." — Smith, 1873

Antenna

"The yard of a ship. The ships of the ancients had a single mast in the middle, and a square sail, to…

"The yard of a ship. The ships of the ancients had a single mast in the middle, and a square sail, to raise and support which a transverse pole, or yard, was extended across the mast, not far from the top. To the two extremities of the yard, ropes were attached, which passed over the top of the mast, and thus supported the yard: these ropes were called ceruchi. Sometimes the yard had two, and at other times four ceruchi, as in the annexed cut. When a storm arose, or when the port was obtained, or before an engagement, the antenna was lowered to the middle of the mast. From numerous representations of ships on antique coins, intaglios, lamps, and bas-reliefs, we here select two gems, both of which show the velata antenna, but with the sail reefed to the one, and in the other expanded and swollen with the wind." — Smith, 1873

Antenna

"The yard of a ship. The ships of the ancients had a single mast in the middle, and a square sail, to…

"The yard of a ship. The ships of the ancients had a single mast in the middle, and a square sail, to raise and support which a transverse pole, or yard, was extended across the mast, not far from the top. To the two extremities of the yard, ropes were attached, which passed over the top of the mast, and thus supported the yard: these ropes were called ceruchi. Sometimes the yard had two, and at other times four ceruchi, as in the annexed cut. When a storm arose, or when the port was obtained, or before an engagement, the antenna was lowered to the middle of the mast. From numerous representations of ships on antique coins, intaglios, lamps, and bas-reliefs, we here select two gems, both of which show the velata antenna, but with the sail reefed to the one, and in the other expanded and swollen with the wind." — Smith, 1873

Antenna

"The yard of a ship. The ships of the ancients had a single mast in the middle, and a square sail, to…

A flat bottomed boat used for transporting goods.

Baris

A flat bottomed boat used for transporting goods.

"A Phoenician Bireme" — Morey, 1903

Bireme

"A Phoenician Bireme" — Morey, 1903

A group of Greeks rowing a boat.

Greek Boat

A group of Greeks rowing a boat.

"The masts were usually taken down when the vessel arrived in port, and raised again when it was about to depart." — Anthon, 1891

Greek Boat

"The masts were usually taken down when the vessel arrived in port, and raised again when it was about…

"Two boats moored to the bank of the river by ropes and stakes. In the cabin of one, a man inflicts the bastinado on a boatman. He appears to be one of the stewards of an estate, and is accompanied by his dog. In the other boat is a cow, and a net containing hay or chopped straw." — Goodrich, 1844

Two Egyptian Boats

"Two boats moored to the bank of the river by ropes and stakes. In the cabin of one, a man inflicts…

An illustration of an Egyptian royal boat from a sculptured tomb.

Egyptian Royal Boat

An illustration of an Egyptian royal boat from a sculptured tomb.

In the 14th and 15th centuries seamen's guilds were formed in Bristol, King's Lynn, Grimsby, Hull, York and Newcastle.

Fourteenth Century Ships

In the 14th and 15th centuries seamen's guilds were formed in Bristol, King's Lynn, Grimsby, Hull, York…

A war galley was a Norwegian Viking ship.

War Galley

A war galley was a Norwegian Viking ship.

A Galley is a low, flat-built vessel furnished with one deck.It was primarily employed by the Romans, Genoese, Pisans, and Venetians. The Venetian galley was generally three-masted, and was usually around 160 feet long, 32 feet broad, and supplied with sixty-four oars, to each of which were chained six or seven slaves. Such galleys were equipped with powerful rams used for boarding and sinking enemy ships. Criminals in France and elsewhere were frequently condemned to serve at the oars in these craft. In modern speech, the term "galley" refers the common kitchen of a ship.

Galley (ship)

A Galley is a low, flat-built vessel furnished with one deck.It was primarily employed by the Romans,…

"Remains of the Viking ships of Gokstad, after its removal from the mound where it was found."—Gordy, 1912

Remains of the Viking Ship Gokstad

"Remains of the Viking ships of Gokstad, after its removal from the mound where it was found."—Gordy,…

Stylized Greek ship with waves and rocks.

Greek ship

Stylized Greek ship with waves and rocks.

Illustration of a Greek war-ship from the 5th century BC. There are two masts, a large decorative bird element at the bow, and shell-like enclosure at the stern. Three rows of oars are manned by several men. A large, steering oar at the starboard bow is controlled by a man on a raised platform. A flag flies from the stern.

Greek War-Ship with Three Rows of Oars

Illustration of a Greek war-ship from the 5th century BC. There are two masts, a large decorative bird…

A medal engraved with the head of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, with his name in the inscription. On the other side is the image of a galley with many oars. The prow has a standard with flags flying and a captain standing at the helm, directing the vessel.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

A medal engraved with the head of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, with his name in the inscription. On the…

"Water transportation in the Feudal Age." -Foster, 1921

Medieval Ship

"Water transportation in the Feudal Age." -Foster, 1921

A Greek ship.

Navis

A Greek ship.

Norman ship from the Bayeux Tapestry.

Norman Ship

Norman ship from the Bayeux Tapestry.

A Norse ship copied from one in Nordenskiold's <em>Voyage of the Vega</em>.

Norse

A Norse ship copied from one in Nordenskiold's Voyage of the Vega.

A Norse boat unearthed at Sandefjord.

Norse

A Norse boat unearthed at Sandefjord.

One of the most important remains from the Viking age was found at the grave site Gokstadhaugen in Sandefjord. The Gokstad ship was found in 1880, and is now in the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo. A replica of Gokstad ship, called Gaia currently has Sandefjord as home port.

Norse Boat Unearthed at Sandefjord

One of the most important remains from the Viking age was found at the grave site Gokstadhaugen in Sandefjord.…

An illustration of a Norse Galley. Norse is an adjective relating things to Norway, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland and Sweden. A galley is an ancient ship which can be propelled entirely by human oarsmen, used for warfare and trade. Oars are known from at least the time of the Egyptian Old Kingdom. Many galleys had masts and sails for use when the winds were favorable.

Norse Galley

An illustration of a Norse Galley. Norse is an adjective relating things to Norway, Denmark, Faroe Islands,…

A Norse Ship of the tenth century.

Norse Ship

A Norse Ship of the tenth century.

"A Persian boat (as shown on old monuments)." -Foster, 1921

Persian Boat

"A Persian boat (as shown on old monuments)." -Foster, 1921

The ship is pictured as it looked shortly after being unearthed. The tent-like structure at the back that is in most depictions, is not included in this illustration. Four of the 32 shields that were found can be seen attached to the side of the hull. The ship is raised up on a wooden frame. The ship was found in a burial mound in Sweden.

The Remains of the Prow of the Viking Ship Gokstad

The ship is pictured as it looked shortly after being unearthed. The tent-like structure at the back…

A Roman battle ship manned by many oarsmen.

Roman Battle Ship

A Roman battle ship manned by many oarsmen.

A Roman boat

Roman Boat

A Roman boat

A Roman Galley with three banks of oars.

Roman Galley

A Roman Galley with three banks of oars.

An illustration of a Roman galley from the Roman empire.

Roman Galley

An illustration of a Roman galley from the Roman empire.

"Roman Battle Ship." — Greenough, 1899

Roman Ship

"Roman Battle Ship." — Greenough, 1899

A Roman warship.

Roman Warship

A Roman warship.

Rowlock of the Viking ship.

Rowlock

Rowlock of the Viking ship.

An ancient ship.

Ship

An ancient ship.

"A ship of Duke William's fleet which transported troops for the invasion of England."&mdash;Gordy, 1912

A Ship of Duke William's Fleet

"A ship of Duke William's fleet which transported troops for the invasion of England."—Gordy,…

"It was the custom of Northmen to bury their dead sea king near the sea in his ship and over the spot to raise a great mound of earth. The boat shown in the cut was found in 1880 in a burial mound at Gokstadt, South Norway. Its length is 78 feet. From the mode of sepulture it is inferred that the mound was raised between A.D. 700 and 1000."&mdash;Myers, 1905

A Viking Ship

"It was the custom of Northmen to bury their dead sea king near the sea in his ship and over the spot…

"The vessel is now broadside to the wind, the prow having swung around." — Anthon, 1891

Greek ship

"The vessel is now broadside to the wind, the prow having swung around." — Anthon, 1891

"The vessel is now broadside to the wind, the prow having swung around." — Anthon, 1891

Greek ship

"The vessel is now broadside to the wind, the prow having swung around." — Anthon, 1891

Greek ship with the sail reefed.

Greek ship

Greek ship with the sail reefed.

Ships of the 15th century.

Ancient Ships

Ships of the 15th century.

"A small fore-and-aft rigged vessel with one mast, generally carrying a jib, fore-staysail, mainsail, and gaff-topsail. Some sloops formerly had a square topsail. It is generally understood that a sloop differs from a cutter by having a fixed instead of a running bowsprit, but the names are used somewhat indiscriminately." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Sloop

"A small fore-and-aft rigged vessel with one mast, generally carrying a jib, fore-staysail, mainsail,…

A Roman Trading vessel laden with goods.

Trading Vessel

A Roman Trading vessel laden with goods.

"Trading Vessel." &mdash; Greenough, 1899

Trading Vessel

"Trading Vessel." — Greenough, 1899

A fourteenth century war vessel with two masts and barge used to transport soldiers. Most fourteenth century ships were made with one masts with the rudder no longer than the side of the ship.

Fourteenth Century War Vessel and Barge

A fourteenth century war vessel with two masts and barge used to transport soldiers. Most fourteenth…

An old Viking boat found buried in Norway.

Viking

An old Viking boat found buried in Norway.

A Viking ship

Viking Ship

A Viking ship

The plan of a Viking ship.

Viking Ship

The plan of a Viking ship.

A ship of the Vikings

Vikings

A ship of the Vikings

A Roman war ship.

War Ship

A Roman war ship.