106. Whilst the Athenians maintained the empire of the sea,
their fleet consisted of three, and afterwards of four,
hundred galleys of three ranks of oars, all completely
equipped and ready for immediate service. The arsenal in the
port of Piraeus had cost the republic a thousand talents,
about two hundred and sixteen thousand pounds. See
Thucydides de Bel. Pelopon. 1. ii. c. 13; and Meursius de
Fortuna Attica, c. 19.