70 



HISTORY OF THE SEA. 



The poop, or stern, was usually higher than the rest of the 

 vessel, and upon it the helmsman had his elevated seat. It was 

 rounder than the prow, though its extremity was likewise sharp. 

 It was embellished in various ways, but especially with the figure 

 of the tutelary goddess or deity of the vessel. Over the helms- 

 man was a roof, and above that an elegant ornament, rising 

 from the stern and bending gracefully over him. In conse- 

 quence of its conspicuous place and beautiful form, this ornament, 

 named an aplustre, was considered emblematic of the sea, and 

 was carried off by the victor in a naval engagement, as a stand- 

 ard or a scalp in more modern times. 



The rudder was a singular contrivance. The origin of this 

 very useful invention is attributed by Pliny, as we have said, to 

 Tiphys, of the Argo, — a doubtful pilot of a doubtful vessel. 

 Previous to this, vessels must have been guided by the same oars 

 which propelled them. The Grecian rudder was a long oar with 

 a very broad blade, inserted, not at the extremity of the stern, 

 but at either side where it begins to curve; and a ship usually 

 had two, both being managed by the same man. In large ships 

 they were connected by a pole which kept them parallel and 

 gave to both the position in which either was turned. The rudder 

 seems to have been considered an emblem, as it frequently oc- 

 curs on gems, coins, and cameos. Thus a Triton is found repre- 

 sented as blowing a shell and holding a rudder over his shoulder. 

 A tiller and cornucopia are frequently seen in juxtaposition. A 

 cameo, still preserved, shows a Venus Anadyomene leaning with 

 her left arm upon a rudder the same height as herself, and 

 thereby indicating, as is supposed, her own maritime origin. 



The OARS, bearing a name which at first signified only the 

 blade, but was afterwards applied to all oars except the rudder, 

 varied in size as they were used by a higher or lower rank of 

 rowers. A trireme may be said to have had one hundred and 

 seventy oars, a quinquereme three hundred, and even four hun- 

 dred. The lower part of the holes through which the oars 



