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Q&A: What were Roman sails made from?

Roman sails were commonly assembled from overlapping linen panels, combining available material into a stronger working surface.

Ancient Galleys Linen Roman Republic Sailmaking

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Question

What material were Roman sails made from?

Short answer

They were commonly made from linen panels sewn together in overlapping layers for strength.

Notes

Roman merchant ships could carry large square sails and a smaller triangular sail. Their sailcloth was commonly made from linen. Separate panels were sewn together with overlapping layers. The overlap added strength to the assembled sail.