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For nearly four centuries the Byzantine Empire's naval forces vied with the warships of the emerging Islamic world for mastery of the Mediterranean. At the heart of this confrontation were the fighting vessels of the two powers, the Byzantine "dromōn" and the Arabic "shalandī", both oared warships. This book reveals what it was like in the midst of the fierce engagements between these two types. It explores the use of a startling array of weaponry - catapults, crossbows, launchers for pots of flaming oil, and conventional archers - and examines frenetic close-quarters tactics involving grappling, boarding and fighting hand-to-hand. But the most terrifying weapon of all was "Greek Fire". Fired from a siphon mounted on the deck of Byzantine vessels, it was used to coat enemy ships and crew alike with "an unquenchable fire". Featuring full-colour illustrations and rigorous analysis from an authority on naval warfare, this is a rare glimpse of the long-lost world of war at sea in the age of Byzantium.

Warships --- Ships, Medieval --- Byzantine Empire --- Middle East