Rowboats are any kind of boat that use oars, but these oars are not free to move they can be handled forms its oarlocks that are located at the gunwales. This boat can use long or short because the main thing is that the oar is placed in the oars.
There are different types of rowboats because as they are used they can be for traveling, transportation, relax or sports.
Rowboats are believed to be invented by the Egyptians, but the Greeks were the ones that discover the use of the oars which provide control to the boat. The uses that this kind of boat was simple: fishing, lifesaving and war.
One the boat was invented there were a lot of civilization that absorb the technology, like: the Vikings and the Romans. There was also a time were this ship was used for exploration and conquest of new towns.