trierarch

American  

[trahy-uh-rahrk] / ˈtraɪ əˌrɑrk /

noun

Greek History.

1. the commander of a trireme.

2. (in Athens) a citizen who, singly, or jointly with other citizens, was required to fit out a trireme for the public service.

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trierarch British  

/ ˈtraɪəˌrɑːk /

noun

1. a citizen responsible for fitting out a state trireme, esp in Athens

2. the captain of a trireme

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Etymology

Origin of trierarch

1650–60; < Greek triḗrarchos , equivalent to triḗr ( ēs ) trireme + archós commander. See tri-, -arch

Example Sentences

And will you still deny me equal voice and vote with this noble trierarch from Siphinos with his one, or with his comrade from Melos with his twain?”

From A Victor of Salamis by Davis, William Stearns

For I have been trierarch five times, and four times I have been in naval engagements, and have paid many extra taxes in war, and have furnished the other contributions no less than other citizens.

From The Orations of Lysias by Lysias

Demosthenes was choregus in 348, and trierarch in 363, 359, and 357.

From The Public Orations of Demosthenes, volume 2 by Pickard, Arthur Wallace

A trierarch who thought the burden too heavy for him could appeal against it by laying a branch on the altar in the Pnyx, or by taking sanctuary in the Temple of Artemis at Munychia.

From The Public Orations of Demosthenes, volume 2 by Pickard, Arthur Wallace

No wonder the crew demanded that the trierarch and governor "make shore for the night," or that they weary of the incessant grating of the heavy oars upon the thole-pins.

From A Day in Old Athens; a Picture of Athenian Life by Davis, William Stearns