Until the introduction of steam-powered ships in the late19th century, the Greek seas were dominated by wooden ships with sails. These ships at times served trade and transportation or piracy and maritime warfare. As their construction was very time-consuming and expensive, they usually served different purposes during their lives, as they were adaptable to the needs of each era. For example, many Greek merchant ships were converted into warships during the Greek war of independence of 1821.
Depending on the original purpose for which a ship was intended, it varied considerably in size and shape, in the number of masts and the nature of its sails. These individual characteristics gradually gave shape to specific types of sailing ships, each of whom had different variations.