Heavy galleys against Agrippa's balanced fleet

Antony's fleet emphasized quinqueremes and still larger prestige ships, giving it height and mass at the cost of tactical flexibility. The quinquereme appears closer to the useful combat balance than the larger types. Agrippa organized Octavian's varied fleet to pin the enemy with part of the force and maneuver around it with faster ships. Actium therefore contrasts concentrated weight with a mix of capabilities that supported more than one method of attack.