The “World’s First Cruise Liner” Was Designed by Archimedes

The world’s first colossal ship, not unlike a modern cruise liner in form and function, was designed and built by the ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes.

The massive sea vessel was constructed in the third century BC and was commissioned by Hiero II of Syracuse, the last Hellenistic (Greek) monarch of Sicily.

The ship, which was dubbed the Syrakosia, was possibly the largest sea vessel to set sail in antiquity. It was so large that no port in Sicily could contain it. It was constructed with luxury in mind and contained several recreational spaces including a garden and an indoor bathhouse with hot water.

Archimedes and the world’s first cruise liner Syrakosia

During the ship’s conception and construction, Archimedes was appointed mechanikos, or master engineer, meaning that he was likely in charge of solving logistical problems and special applications. He also probably designed the ship, although some sources claim a man called Archias of Corinth was the chief architect responsible for its design.

The main surviving literary source describing the Syrakosia dates back to the second century AD. Athenaeus of Naucratis in the fifth book of his work Deipnosophistae, described the ship in great detail in a quote ascribed to the ancient Greek tragic poet Moschion.

The dimensions of the ship, if the literary accounts are to be believed, were massive. The hull supposedly contained enough timber to build 60 quadriremes. Quadriremes were four-banked warships with two levels of oarsmen used in the navies of the Greeks, Carthaginians, and Romans.

The Syrakosia had three levels of gangways and was lavishly decorated. The crew quarters were bedecked with mosaics depicting scenes from the Iliad and the upper deck was supported by towering figures of Atlas.

Archimedes also made sure that guests on the luxury vessel did not go out without entertainment. A bathhouse, gymnasium, garden area, library, and 20 stables were all on board the ship. The ship was also said to possess a 20,000-gallon water tank and a saltwater fish tank.

The ship was well-protected as well. 8 artillery towers provided it with defensive capabilities and bronze-clad mast tops functioned as lookout points for marines.

It took about a year to build the Syrakosia. Six months were needed to construct the lower hull before the ship was then completed afloat over the course of a further six months. 300 craftsmen and their assistants were employed to complete the project.

The Syrakosia sets sail

After about a year of construction, the Syrakosia (Latin: Syracusia) was ready to set sail. Hiero II, who had commissioned the project and ruled over the Greek city state of Syracuse, sent the vessel as a gift to Egypt as a gift for Ptolemy III.

On the vessel’s maiden voyage, it carried a cargo of 60,000 measures of grain, 10,000 jars of Sicilian pickled fish, 20,000 talents of wool, and 20,000 talents of miscellaneous cargo. Ample provisions for those on board and the horses were also transported.

Once in Egypt, the Ptolemies renamed the ship the Alexandris and it may have served in the Ptolemaic navy. Upon taking the throne, Ptolemy III’s son, also named Ptolemy sought to outdo the Syrakosia and ordered the construction of an even greater vessel called the Tessarakonteres.

However, according to Plutarch, Ptolemy IV’s ship was so excessive in weight and size that it was rendered practically immobile.