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

Trī′erarchy, the office of trierarch: the system of requisitioning vessels from wealthy citizens.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

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

The nominal, and sometimes actual, commander of the trireme is her trierarch; but obviously a cultivated old gentleman like Eustathius is no man to manage the ship in a sea fight.

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

On the deck above the hearty shouts of Ameinias the trierarch, and chanting of the seamen told that on the Nausicaä at least there would be no slackness in the fight.

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