Question: ancient greek galley having three banks of oars on each side
Answer: A trireme ( / ˈtraɪriːm / ; derived from Latin : trirēmis `` with three banks of oars '' ; Ancient Greek : τριήρης triērēs , literally `` three - rower '' ) was an ancient vessel and a type of galley that was used by the ancient maritime civilizations of the Mediterranean , especially the Phoenicians , ancient Greeks and Romans .