Academy 1/250 ROMAN WARSHIP

1/250 Roman Warship Plastic Model Kit from Academy. Ages 10 and up. The Roman empire, which fell in 463 AD, used its powerful navy to help control and expand land holdings in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Roman warships were fearsome weapons and a major factor in the expansion of the Roman Empire. The ships were powered by sails and oars, and armed with the spears and swords of the soldiers on board. Protection was provided by many removable shields along the sides of the craft. A unique "proboscus" on the front of the ship was a reinforced ram often used to spear enemy ships. In the event an enemy ship remained skewered to the Roman ship, the soldiers would leap aboard and engage in hand-to-hand combat.