How Did Byzantine Fire Ships Work?

Did you know how Byzantine Fire Ships worked and became the super weapons of their age?
The Fire Ships of the Byzantine Empire were created shortly after the discovery of Greek Fire in the 7th century AD. Engineers quickly began experimenting with incendiaries and methods of delivery, ultimately creating the famed Siphons which could be mounted on Byzantine Dromons. These fire ships would defeat the Arab and Kievan Rus invasions which sought to siege Constantinople on multiple occasions.

You can learn more about the Units of History through our documentary series:

THE BYZANTINES
Byzantine Flamethrowers and Grenadiers :    • Units of History - Byzantine Flamethr...  
The Varangian Guard :    • Units of History - The Varangian Guar...  

THE GREEK WORLD
Macedonian Silver Shields :    • Units of History - The Macedonian Sil...  
Macedonian Companion Cavalry :    • Units of History - The Macedonian Com...  
The Spartan Skiritai :    • Units of History: The Skiritai - Spar...  
The Spartan Royal Guard :    • Units of History - The Spartan Royal ...  
The Sacred Band of Thebes :    • Units of History - The Sacred Band of...  
Mycenaean Chariots :    • Units of History - Mycenaean Chariots...  
Balearic Slingers :    • Units of History - The Balearic Sling...  

THE ROMANS
Roman Cataphracts :    • Units of History - Roman Cataphracts ...  
Roman Army Spies :    • Units of History - The Speculatores: ...  
Roman Army Scouts :    • Units of History - The Exploratores: ...  

THE NORTHMEN
The Jomsvikings Mercenaries :    • Units of History - The Jomsvikings Me...  
Viking Berserkers :    • Units of History - Viking Berserker D...  
Early Germanic Warriors :    • Units of History - Early Germanic War...  

THE AFRICANS
Nubian Archers :    • Units of History - Nubian Archers - L...  
The Sacred Band of Carthage :    • Units of History - The Sacred Band of...  
Carthaginian War Elephants :    • Units of History - Carthaginian War E...  
The Numidian Cavalry :    • Units of History - The Numidian Caval...  

THE NEAR EAST
The 10,000 Immortals :    • Units of History - The 10,000 Immorta...  

Sources and Suggest Reading:
“Greek Fire” by Linda Alchin
“Byzantine authors: literary activities and preoccupations” by John Nesbitt
“Praecepta Militaria” by Nicephorus II Phocas
“Tactica” by Emperor Leo VI the Wise