Assyria - Phoenician Warship

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The ancient Phoenicians were renowned for their exceptional boat building skills and seafaring expertise. They constructed some of the finest vessels in the ancient world and launched extensive trading expeditions, establishing a network of Phoenician colonies throughout the Mediterranean. This remarkably preserved gypsum wall panel depicts a Phoenician war galley navigating down the Euphrates River. The ship was likely built and crewed by skilled Phoenicians employed by King Sennacherib. Shields are securely fastened to the upper deck, providing maximum protection for the sailors on board. The distinctive pointed prow was designed to ram enemy ships with deadly precision. This stunning wall panel was discovered in Nineveh, Iraq.