CELEUSMA, or CELEUMA (from κελεύω), in Antiquity, the command or call given by the chief oarsman to the rowers. This officer was called celeustes; and by the Romans portisculus, pausarius, or simply hortator. His duties are well described by Silius Italicus—
Medim stat margine puppis,
Qui voce alternoe nautarum temperet letus,
Et remis dictet sonitum, pariterque relat
Ad sonitum plaudat resonantia cœrula tonsis.