Like the classical Greeks, those in the Middle ages prided themselves on their mastery of the sea. A typical galley of the imperial fleet of the East Roman Empire is shown above. It was known as a "dromon" and was an extremely swift ship, carrying two banks of oars and up to 300 men. The ram at the front end was used to puncture the hulls of enemy ships, and Greek Fire was spewn onto attacking vessels from tubes comming out of the forward platforms. The combination of these effects made the East Roman navy master of the sea during the golden age of Romiosini.

Minature of Basil II from his Psalter made in Constantinople between 1017 and 1025. The Prostrate figures in the background represent conquered Bulgarians

Mosaic of the Emperor John II Comnenus and the Empress Irene on either side of the Virgin Mary and Child, in the south gallery of Agia Sophia, Constantinople