True enough.
Interestingly, the Romans and other ancient peoples never used galley slaves, despite what Charlton Heston says. They were an invention of gunpowder weapon days.
Quite logical really. If the fighting, with minor exceptions, is by edged weapons or ramming, then having all the rowers ready to fight for you is a huge advantage. If most of the fighting is by artillery, the rowers are mostly just an engine.