I. General
Early navies such as those of the Egyptians and the maritime towns in Syria/Palestine and on Cyprus mostly transported troops and materials. In battle, the ships carried archers, e.g., in the battle of Ramesses III against the Sea Peoples (Medinet Habu). This is similar to early Phoenician and Greek ships, which were used for transportation and fighting. These were ships with one bank of oars (μονόκροτος; monókrotos) wi…