Byzantine War Ships and Byzantine War Ships and Naval WarNaval War

(from the Fourth to the Eleventh (from the Fourth to the Eleventh Century)Century)

Roman warship (4Roman warship (4thth century, century, Mainx)Mainx)

Byzantine dromon, early 6Byzantine dromon, early 6thth century century

• Dromon in the Dromon in the Ilias Ambrosiana Ilias Ambrosiana (Milan, Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Cod.(Milan, Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Cod.Ambros. F. 205 Inf., min. VIII), early sixth century.Ambros. F. 205 Inf., min. VIII), early sixth century.

Byzantine dromonByzantine dromon

• 30-50 meters long 30-50 meters long and 5-7 meters and 5-7 meters wide, carrying up wide, carrying up to 250 men (200 to 250 men (200 rowers and 50 rowers and 50 marines)marines)

Greek Fire and Byzantine Naval Greek Fire and Byzantine Naval WarfareWarfare

• from the Madrid Skylitzes Ms, early 12from the Madrid Skylitzes Ms, early 12thth century, Sicily ( Biblioteca Nacional century, Sicily ( Biblioteca Nacional

de Espade Espaňa in Madrid)ňa in Madrid)

• The Chronicle of Theophanes (810) reports that in 673 an inventor named Kallinikos The Chronicle of Theophanes (810) reports that in 673 an inventor named Kallinikos “had devised a sea fire which ignited the Arab ships and burned them with all hands. “had devised a sea fire which ignited the Arab ships and burned them with all hands. Thus it was that the Romans returned with victory and discovered the sea fire.” Greek Thus it was that the Romans returned with victory and discovered the sea fire.” Greek Fire was a combustible substance made from some combination of petroleum, naphtha, Fire was a combustible substance made from some combination of petroleum, naphtha, and other ingredients that at the least could not be put out with water and perhaps was and other ingredients that at the least could not be put out with water and perhaps was either spread or even ignited by contact with water. Byzantine chroniclers falsely either spread or even ignited by contact with water. Byzantine chroniclers falsely claimed that the formula remained a closely guarded state secret. In actuality, Greek claimed that the formula remained a closely guarded state secret. In actuality, Greek Fire was used by Arab fleets as well and was a standard part of the weaponry of eastern Fire was used by Arab fleets as well and was a standard part of the weaponry of eastern Mediterranean fleets 700-1100. The substance itself, either pumped at high pressure Mediterranean fleets 700-1100. The substance itself, either pumped at high pressure out of bronze siphons mounted on the bows of galleys or lobbed, from on-board out of bronze siphons mounted on the bows of galleys or lobbed, from on-board catapults, in earthenware pots that would shatter on impact, constituted a deadly catapults, in earthenware pots that would shatter on impact, constituted a deadly weapon against wooden ships that the Byzantine navy used again and again to weapon against wooden ships that the Byzantine navy used again and again to devastating effect, most decisively at the siege of Constantinople in 717. Only when the devastating effect, most decisively at the siege of Constantinople in 717. Only when the Turks discovered how to combat it in the late eleventh century (vinegar, rather than Turks discovered how to combat it in the late eleventh century (vinegar, rather than water, did the trick in dousing the flames) did Greek Fire lose importance as a Byzantine water, did the trick in dousing the flames) did Greek Fire lose importance as a Byzantine naval weapon; the formula was lost with the fall of the Empire, never to be recovered.naval weapon; the formula was lost with the fall of the Empire, never to be recovered.

• Greek Fire had limitations, as the siphons had limited range and catapulted pots had Greek Fire had limitations, as the siphons had limited range and catapulted pots had limited accuracy. Greek Fire had to be handled carefully lest one’s own ship caught fire.limited accuracy. Greek Fire had to be handled carefully lest one’s own ship caught fire.

Stephen MorilloStephen Morillo

Saracen fleet from Madrid Skylitzes Ms (12Saracen fleet from Madrid Skylitzes Ms (12thth century)century)

Muslim amphibious assault on Thessalonica under Leo of Muslim amphibious assault on Thessalonica under Leo of Tripoli, 904 Tripoli, 904

(from Madrid Skylitzes Ms, 12(from Madrid Skylitzes Ms, 12thth century) century)

Reconquest of Chandax (Heraklion), Emirate of Crete, by Reconquest of Chandax (Heraklion), Emirate of Crete, by Nicephoras Nicephoras Phocas (later emperor) in 960. Phocas (later emperor) in 960.

(From Madrid Skylitzes Ms, 12(From Madrid Skylitzes Ms, 12thth century) century)

• Nicephoras Phocas commanded a fleet of 100 dromons, 200 Nicephoras Phocas commanded a fleet of 100 dromons, 200 chelandiachelandia, and 308 transports, carrying an overall force of 77,000 , and 308 transports, carrying an overall force of 77,000 men, to subdue the island. The conquest of Crete removed the men, to subdue the island. The conquest of Crete removed the direct threat to the Aegean, Byzantium's naval heartland, while direct threat to the Aegean, Byzantium's naval heartland, while Phokas' subsequent operations led to the recovery of Cilicia (in Phokas' subsequent operations led to the recovery of Cilicia (in 963) and Cyprus (in 968).963) and Cyprus (in 968).