The Greek navies that fought in the Peloponnesian War used triremes, as did the Romans at the Battle of Actium. The development of naval gunnery from the 16th century onward vaulted broadside weight ahead of maneuverability; this led to the dominance of the sail-powered warship over the following three centuries.
The use of triremes by Greek and Roman navies during conflicts like the Peloponnesian War was followed by naval gunnery developments that emphasized broadside weight over maneuverability. This shift resulted in sail-powered warships dominating maritime warfare for a period of three centuries.