History Main / SlaveGalley

Historically, this trope is NewerThanTheyThink and belongs in the realm of BrieferThanTheyThink. The heyday of slave galley lasted only for some 70 years - from the beginning of the 16th century to the BattleOfLepanto 1571. Galley slaves were introduced only during the Renaissance (16th century) as cannons became the main weapon of galleys instead of ramming and boarding and less skill was required for rowers. Slave galleys were uncommon in the ancient world for various reasons[[note]](see [[Analysis/SlaveGalley analysis page]] for details)[[/note]], making this trope an example of ArtisticLicenseHistory. Some nations, such as Venice, never adopted galley slavery. Some, like Sweden and Russia, used [[{{conscription}} conscript soldiers]] for galley crews.

* On GamesWorkshop 's game ''Man of War'', the Empire and High Elf crews are all volunteers, whilst Dark Elves, Chaos and Greenskins favour slaves.

* The ''Literature/FightingFantasy'' book ''Master of Chaos'' begins like this. Unusually, the [[AnAdventurerIsYou hero]] went into slavery ''voluntarily'', as a discreet way of gaining entry to the local WretchedHive.

* in " the Golden Crown, by Chris Hiemerdinger, the time traveling Harry Hawkins is sold as a slave to Romans and finds himself on a ship heading who-knows-where. lucky for him, pirates burn down the ship( after he grabs the key, and unlocks all the other rowers.)

Historically, this trope is NewerThanTheyThink and belongs in the realm of ShortRunners. The heyday of slave galley lasted only for some 70 years - from the beginning of the 16th century to the BattleOfLepanto 1571. Galley slaves were introduced only during the Renaissance (16th century) as cannons became the main weapon of galleys instead of ramming and boarding and less skill was required for rowers. Slave galleys were uncommon in the ancient world for various reasons[[note]](see [[Analysis/SlaveGalley analysis page]] for details)[[/note]], making this trope an example of ArtisticLicenseHistory. Some nations, such as Venice, never adopted galley slavery. Some, like Sweden and Russia, used [[{{conscription}} conscript soldiers]] for galley crews.

* ''Film/BenHur1959'' was the first film [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7wcShvrus to popularize this trope.]] The title character spent a few years on a Roman slave galley.

* HeatherAlexander's song "Yo Ho" is about being kidnapped and put to work as a galley. It's not a very happy song.

* Downplayed in ''VideoGame/GoldenSun''. Monsters attack the ship Isaac and his friends are on, and by the time you fight each wave off, one of the (voluntarily employed) rowers has been put out of commission. After each round, you have to pick one of the NPC passengers to press-gang into service as a replacement for the rest of the voyage, whether they like it or not. Choosing the right combination of replacements will actually unbalance the rowers, sending the ship off-course and getting you early access to the BonusDungeon.

* Usally averted in the SwordAndSandal era, where it was actually far less common (though not unknown) than is usually believed.

Historically, this trope is NewerThanTheyThink. Galley slaves were introduced only during the Renaissance (16th century) as cannons became the main weapon of galleys instead of ramming and boarding and less skill was required for rowers. Slave galleys were uncommon in the ancient world for various reasons[[note]](see [[Analysis/SlaveGalley analysis page]] for details)[[/note]], making this trope an example of ArtisticLicenseHistory. Some nations, such as Venice, never adopted galley slavery.

* The galley was obsolete as a deep-water warship already in the end of 16th century, as sailing ships could carry far more cannons. The main reason why they were built after that date was purely penal: Their actual reason for existence was to be floating prisons and forced labour institutions. Galleys did see some use until the 19th century in shallow, coastal waters, such as in the Baltic archipelagoes during the wars between Sweden and Russia, but they were not manned by slaves.
* Averted in the Baltic Sea. Both the Swedes and the Russians used [[{{Conscription}} conscripts]] as rowers. They had their weapons (usually short musket and sabre) aside their thwarts. Also, both nations simply didn't practice slavery, and use of forced labor like convicts was deemed impractical for the reasons descripted above. While Russia had a serfdom at that time, which was sometimes hardly distinguishable from slavery, enlistment ''always'' immediately freed a person, and a military service was seen as a prestigious, if taxing occupation.

Historically, this trope is NewerThanTheyThink. Galley slaves were introduced only during the Renaissance (16th century) as cannons became the main weapon of galleys instead of ramming and boarding and less skill was required for rowers. Slave galleys were uncommon in the ancient world for various reasons[[note]](see [[Analysis/SlaveGalley analysis page]] for details)[[/note]], making this trope an example of ArtisticLicenseHistory. Some nations, such as Venice, never adopted galley slavery

* Discussed at length in the ''Literature/TheToughGuideToFantasyLand''.

* In Creator/RobertEHoward's ''Literature/TheHourOfTheDragon'', ConanTheBarbarian is kidnapped and taken aboard a ship with galley slaves. He turns the tables on his captors, however, when he notices some old comrades among the galley slaves and convinces them to mutiny.

In reality, slave galleys were uncommon in the ancient world for various reasons[[note]](see [[Analysis/SlaveGalley analysis page]] for details)[[/note]], making this trope an example of ArtisticLicenseHistory.

* ''Outcast'', Creator/RosemarySutcliff's second and worst-researched Roman novel, has its protagonist Beric arrested and sentenced to row a Roman army transport galley on the Rhine. His oarmate is a dreamy artist with an IncurableCoughOfDeath, leaving Beric in the role of barbarian best friend.

* Creator/RudyardKipling's 1891 short story "[[http://www.online-literature.com/kipling/3775/ The Finest Story in the World]]" involves an unimaginative would-be writer remembering in vivid detail his past life as a Greek galley slave, while believing that he's inventing it.

* The undead crew of the Black Pearl in ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'' used galley oars for a speed advantage. Since the crew were immortal zombies, they could conceivably push to flank speed for hours at a stretch, and still be ready to fight when they caught their prey.

[[quoteright:350:[[Film/BenHur http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/b8a019f2bc231c12ccd53249e752065e.jpg]]]]

A staple of the SwordAndSandal and Fantasy genres, [[TropeCodifier firmly established]] by the film ''Film/BenHur''. The hero is [[MadeASlave enslaved]] and forced to work as a galley rower, while [[WorkingOnTheChainGang chained to his fellows]]. Necessary embellishments include:

* ''Film/BenHur'' was the first film [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax7wcShvrus to popularize this trope.]] The title character spent a few years on a Roman slave galley.

** The [[AncientRome Roman Army's]] [[TheGloryThatWasRome Naval Service]] only wanted free men, who were paid well, well trained, and highly motivated by the chance of citizenship at the end of their tenure. Since ramming and boarding actions were a staple of ancient sea combat, you'd need fast ships crewed by professionals willing to do their best. As a further reason, if the ship was boarded, a crew of angry and armed free men rowers was a far better second line of defense than chained, unhappy slaves.

** The Carthaginian Navy rowers had living and training requirements similar to a modern athlete. No wonder their Navy was so feared in the Mediterranean.

* Played with in ''[[Literature/AsianSaga Shogun]]''. When Blackthorne sees the galley that will transport him to the capital, he panics thinking its a slave ship and is willing to die in order not to be a galley slave. It is revealed that the rowers were all full samurai doing their duty rather than slaves.