The materials that were used to build boats during the 8th century B.C.E. included some material like cedar, oak, pine, and fir wood for the hull and bottom part of the boat. The advantages of these softwoods were that they were light and easily maneuverable. The disadvantages of using softwoods was that they soaked up water and therefore damaged the boat. The sails on these ancient boats were mostly used of papyrus or flax cloth. The disadvantages of using papyrus is that it rotted easily and had to be replaced quite often, while it was still easy to obtain and easy to create as a sail. The disadvantages of using flax cloth is that it can be harder to move around and harder to create, but the advantages are that it was stronger and more efficient than papyrus sails. Ancient Greeks also used tightened ropes to make the boat stronger and more equipped for battle or rough waters. The only disadvantage of using tightened ropes is that sometimes they would loosen and the boats would become weak, but otherwise using ropes was a very good way of making a boat stronger. The materials that are used to build boats now are very different than in old times when Homer lived. Some of the materials include glass-reinforced-plastic/fiberglass, aluminum, steel, and plywood for the bottom parts of the boat. Aluminum, steel, and fiberglass are all stronger and longer lasting than any of the woods used in the ancient world, but they are also very expensive with the amounts you would need. For the sail we use Polyester, Nylon, carbon fiber, and more flax cloth. Flax cloth was an advancement that the Greeks had in their materials, because we still use it for sails today. Flax cloth is also known as linen. One of the disadvantages of flax cloth or linen is that it burns easily, making it easier to destroy a boat in battle. The advantages of using polyester or nylon for sails now is that they are cost-effective, but they are not as strong or reliable as other materials would be. For example, carbon fiber is very strong, however, it is also extremely pricey.