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Venetian Galley

Type Object Region Europe Time 1000–1600

In the mid-12th century, galleys operated by the city-state of Venice were the mainstay of Mediterranean commercial and military sailing, using both …

Timeline

  1. c. 1100–1170Venetian Arsenal (Arsenale) · ItalyVenice built long galleys centrally in its arsenal; their narrow hulls, using both sail and oars, suited round trips along the Mediterranean coast and near-shore combat.
  2. c. 1171–1180Eastern Mediterranean routes (Venice–Acre) · MediterraneanIn the 1170s, Venetian galleys sailed regularly to Levantine ports carrying spices, silk, and glassware, with armed escorts to fend off pirates.
  3. c. 1175–1200Adriatic Sea · Adriatic SeaThe same galley could carry cargo for profit in peacetime and be fitted with ballistae and heavy infantry in wartime, reflecting Venice's integrated model of maritime power and commerce.

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