Our name

History over 1,000 years

The "Dromon", Middle English "dromond" and Old French "dromont", described any particularly large medieval ship.

Dromon were the most important warships of the Byzantine navy from the 6th to 12th centuries AD.

They were indirectly developed from the ancient trireme and were usually propelled by both oars and sails, a configuration that had been used by navies in the Mediterranean Sea for centuries.

Dromon came in many different forms and sizes. She had two or three masts, was two-decked, and could be up to 55 metres long and six metres wide. The ship was manned according to its type and dimensions. Some could carry 100, 200 or even 300 men of whom some were marines who in battle were supported by a number of the rowers.

References:
The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, 3rd edition
History and Archaeology of the Ship: The Byzantine Navy
Wikipedia.org