Meanings
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1
noun
a commander or captain of a trireme in the ancient Greek world
The trierarch ordered the rowers to increase their stroke as the enemy ship approached.
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2
noun
in classical Athens, a wealthy citizen required as a civic duty to equip and maintain a trireme and often to command it
The appointed trierarch paid for repairs and equipment before the vessel entered service.
Thesaurus
Etymology
Through Latin trierarchus from Ancient Greek trierarchos, formed from trieres, 'trireme', and archos, 'ruler or commander'. At Athens the command became a public liturgy: the trierarch was responsible not only for leading the ship but also for much of its outfitting and upkeep.