Why did triremes (ancient greek warships) have eyes painted on their sides?

Answer 1

Atropaic eyes were supposed to ward off bad luck.

Answer 2

Greek Warships

Answer 3

Still happens on Greek vessels today. Basically, a ship is a living thing. Also, remember Jason and the Argonaughts, with their figure head that was possessed by a goddes? Well its sort of a similar belief.

If the ship is alive, then it needs to see where it is going, so that even if the sailors have all had a little too much oozo, the ship will see any rocks, etc. and wont crash.

Luck

Answer 4

The Greeks originated 'stink eye,' local Hawai'i'an term, or , more commonly, 'The Evil Eye,' although many other cultures most likely used the same symbology The Greeks get credit since their linear descendants are Western European Civilization. Actually this stylish device sometimes used the natural placement of an anchor hole for a pupil. But the main use was to 'scare' their enemies, to place their enemies that the EYE was on them, they could not escape.

(and I think without researching that Penny has the right word)

Peace.....

Answer 5

Painting eyes on ships started in Phonecia and was later copied by the Greeks. While the exact purpose of the eyes is unknown, the two primary theories are as follows:
1. The eyes repelled evil spirits who would attempt to sink the ship through storms or reefs.
2. The eyes caused great intimidation among enemy ships, much like the eyes and jaws painted on modern F-14 fighter jets.

Answer 6

The same reason modern greeks paint eyes on their doors, and pin glass eyes to infants. They are charms which are supposed to ward off the 'evil eye.'

The 'evil eye' is when someone looks at your possesion, be it trireme or child and is jealous. This jealousy follows the object and 'curses' it to bad luck.

Answer 7

Penny has me reaching for my dictionary - so I'm impressed. We seem to be working our way to a clearer understanding. I'd only add that the tendency to attribute 'human' character to ships is fairly strong - the boat is generally a 'she'. Can anyone confirm that this is a Greek tradition as well? And of course a beautiful girl always has beautiful eyes.

Answer 8

I would imagine that triremes had more than just eyes painted on them. The goal would have been to make them as intimidating as possible to their enemies.

Answer 9

painting eyes on ships and boats is not singular to the greeks or even to the Mediterranean area. Many, if not most, cultures do the same thing. The Vikings had them, almost every boat that I saw in Vietnam had them as well as those in S. China, Taiwan and I saw them in Japan.

Answer 10

Hello dear!
Well, as it has been remained in the English language also, the ship was feminine, ton neutral!
In ancient Greek scripts, including Argonautica, Iliad, Odyssey,etc., ships were called names like: the wise one, the one who talks nicely, well expressed, etc.
How come?
Because they were using the ship itself to record orders, what they experienced, news, ideas, etc.
hence, ships were not soulless!
As in other important structures, they were paying attention and symbolically were adding features, such as eyes on the ships, since throught the power of the ship, sailors could see!