Chelandion

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The Chelandion ( Greek  χελάνδιον ) was a Byzantine galley of the dromone type , which was also used as a troop transport.

history

The term Chelandion comes from the Greek word Kelēs ("Renner") and first appeared in the sources from the 8th century. In medieval Latin, the word Chelandium or Scelandrium was transcribed, while it was called Shalandī (plural Shalandiyyāt ) by the Arabs .

As a variant of the dromone , the Chelandion was typically a bireme , that is, equipped with two rows of oars, which were the main propulsion means, although it also had two Latin sails . It could also be equipped with siphons that fired the dreaded Greek fire , the secret weapon of the Byzantine fleet .

The term chelandion is used interchangeably with dromone in medieval sources , which led to confusion about the exact difference between the former and an actual dromone . The Chelandion seems to have its origins in horse transport ( Hippagōgon ). This would mean some differences to the design of a conventional dromoon : there was probably a pen for horses extending along the ship's belly.

In the 10th century, Chelandia formed the backbone of the Byzantine fleet, and they were divided into two categories: the Chelandion Ousiakon ( Greek  χελάνδιον οὑσιακόν ) or abbreviated Ousiakon or Ousiakos , which was manned by an Ousia , i.e. 108 men, and the Chelandion Pamphylon (Greek χελάνδιον πάμφυλον), or simply Pamphylon or Pamphylos , manned by 120 to 160 men, whose name indicates either an origin in Pamphylia or its manning by "selected crews" (from Greek  πᾶν + φῦλον "all tribes").

Individual evidence

  1. ^ John H. Pryor, Elizabeth M. Jeffreys: The Age of the ΔΡΟΜΩΝ. Leiden 2006, pp. 166-169.
  2. ^ John H. Pryor, Elizabeth M. Jeffreys: The Age of the ΔΡΟΜΩΝ. Leiden 2006, pp. Xlvi-xlvii, 168-169, 190.
  3. ^ John H. Pryor, Elizabeth M. Jeffreys: The Age of the ΔΡΟΜΩΝ. Leiden 2006, pp. 166-169, 188-192, 322-325, 449.
  4. ^ John H. Pryor, Elizabeth M. Jeffreys: The Age of the ΔΡΟΜΩΝ. Leiden 2006, pp. 189-192, 372.

literature

  • John H. Pryor, Elizabeth M. Jeffreys: The Age of the ΔΡΟΜΩΝ. The Byzantine Navy approx. 500–1204. Brill, Leiden / Boston 2006, ISBN 90-04-15197-4 .