Arrian [writes]: "the emperor Trajan had 50 ships when he crossed the river [sc. Tigris]; 4 were carrying the imperial standards, and these were also pulling the flagship, attached by long cables. The ship had all the length of a trireme but had a merchant vessel's breadth and depth -- as big as the biggest Nikomedian or Egyptian. Accommodation suitable for an emperor had been made in it. It had [gold] stern-posts and at the top of the sail the imperial name and other royal titles in gold lettering. The entire fleet had been divided into three parts, so that they would not be disturbed by [sc. what would otherwise be] the continuous voyage."[1]