At this point, you might be envisioning an epic battle taking place as two empires clash against the mighty sea. However, although the massive Greek artifact is indeed a warship, underwater excavators and historians believe it came in peace, likely as a merchant vessel (via Heritage Daily).

The warship was discovered off the coast of Alexandria’s Abu Qir Bay and is only the second of its kind. It now adds to the collection of second century Hellenistic ships, which previously included only the Punic Marsala ship. Standing at an estimated 25 meters (82 feet) in height, the vessel is a marvel of blended architecture from both Greek and Egyptian shipbuilding techniques of the time (via The National News). 

This warship is still being studied, but theory suggests it sank when a funerary temple collapsed in the aftermath of an earthquake that rocked an antiquated world. Ironically, it was likely the rock from the temple that sunk the ship and preserved it for future generations to behold.