10th-11th century Byzantine dromon by Louie da fly - FINISHED - 1:50

[flying_dutchman2]

I just noticed this built and I like the figures you added. It makes it so much more realistic. Excellent craftsmanship. 

 

Marcus 

[Kikatinalong]

Absolutely stunning work and attention to detail Steven. Im starting to consider that you commanded one or even a fleet of Dromons in a previous life. Can't wait to see it up close once Emperor Dan allows parole for us Victorians.

[liteflight]

It seems to me that the Dromarch would be flailed round the head by the flag tails in any following wind.  I hope Louie was spared that, or wore an anti-swooping helmet

[Louie da fly]

Ah! But he has an awning over his head (yet to be added) which will take care of the banner tails.

 

But they certainly had those big banners  - in fact I'm being a bit conservative, if anything . . .

 

 

From the Synopsis Historian of Ioannes Skylitzes (commonly known as the Madrid Skylitzes Chronicle, after the library where it's held)

 

And I've just realised I have another Byzantine pic of a steering oar with a tiller - check it out - it looks a lot like what I ended up making! Though it seems to me the steersman is holding it the wrong side of the rudder shaft.

 

 

From the Sermons of Gregory of Nazianzus:  Pantaleimon Cod. 6 f. 183r

 

[druxey]

Looks as if Gregory's captive audience looks none too happy. "I have to row and listen to him?" The Madrid image has the steersman using a double-handed grip, I note.

[Louie da fly]

11 hours ago, druxey said:

The Madrid image has the steersman using a double-handed grip, I note.

 

The one in the blue, yes. It's a bit hard to see what the steersman in the red is doing. Maybe I should go through all the illustrations in the Skylitzes to see if there are any others showing anything worthwhile on this subject.

[Old Collingwood]

That is looking so busy and excellent with the crew  - really looking the part.

 

OC.

[BANYAN]

Nice work and research Steven.  I note that in the second image above (Sermons ....)  that the steering oar has another small cross piece where the swivel point would be.  Have you considered and/or eliminated that?

 

cheers

 

Pat

[Louie da fly]

Thanks everybody for the likes and OC for the nice comment.

 

Pat, as far as I can work out that's the fixing point for the steering oar against the hull. They came in various types (the TAMU paper goes into them in considerable detail). I chose the triangular ones you can see in my pictures above,

 

 

but there were plenty of other types - "box", "socket" and even some where the steering oar actually goes through a hole in the hull..

[Louie da fly]

I found a couple of interesting illustrations from the Madrid Skylitzes. First, I need to let you know that this manuscript is a Byzantine history and was produced in Sicily in the second half of the 12th century under the rule of the Sicilo-Normans. A number of different artists from various traditions and cultures illustrated it, which accounts for the different artistic styles. Most of the ones below are probably by Western artists, but the ones I've based the dromon on (such as the one above with all the flags flying in the breeze) are in the Byzantine tradition, produced by Byzantine-trained artists.

 

      

 

Two handed grip on rudder -     folio 132 verso.                                                                                                  folio 134 verso.

 

 

This is the only illustration by this artist who is almost certainly West European.

 

 

Probably single-handed. Folio 146 verso.

 

 

Folio 168 verso. Western artist, whose renditions of ships are very simplistic.

 

 

 

From folio 138 verso. Note the beached galleys with their steering oars swivelled up out of the water. This appears to be the only rendition of a ship in the manuscript that shows both steering oars, though it's pretty certain that double rudders were a standard feature.

 

It is possible that in smaller vessels there was only one steersman who operated both rudders. Certainly when Tim Severin and his associates followed Jason's voyage from Thessaly to Colchis in what is now Southern Russia in the 1970, the steersman held one rudder in his right hand and the other in his left, and it worked well. Due to budget constraints their reconstruction of the Argo was smaller than Jason's 50-oared pentekontor.

 

However, each rudder shaft broke twice on the voyage and had to be mended. So the forces involved are considerable, even on a twenty-oared vessel.

 

 

[Louie da fly]

I've carved the second steersman

 

   

 

and finished the hands on the first one, and put both steersmen in place.

 

 

 

  

 

[Jeff T]

This is just amazing!

[cog]

You've gone quite a ways, Steven. Your helmsmen look good, and have the fitting and typical "Steven Dromond's Hair cut"

[Louie da fly]

4 hours ago, cog said:

Your helmsmen look good, and have the fitting and typical "Steven Dromond's Hair cut"

 

As the Kinks would say "Each one a dedicated follower of fashion"

[Louie da fly]

The awning for the poop has been painted for a long time, with an eagle motif. And now I've painted the substructure to match the rest of the ship, particularly the castles. The columns are wood painted to resemble porphyry, the purplish marble reserved for Imperial use.

 

 

And now to add the figures I've been saving up all this time.

 

The Emperor (Alexios I Komnenos, known to the vikings as Kirjalax - from Kyrie (lord) Alexios).

 

 

 

And now the awning, and the flute-player who gives the time to the oarsmen (far right of the picture, in blue):

 

 

And the Emperor's Varangian (Viking) bodyguards:

 

 

And two Imperial courtiers:

 

 

 Unfortunately, you can barely see the Emperor under the awning:

 

 

 

 

I just have to tidy up a couple of ropes and the ship is complete, after more than 5 years!

 

     

 

I still have to complete the stand, add a nameplate and make a case. But that's it. I'm already having withdrawal symptoms . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mtaylor]

From a view of accuracy,  details, research, and building... this is at least museum quality.  Maybe higher.

 

 

[Louie da fly]

Not so sure about the building, Mark - I'm very aware of its shortcomings in that department  - but many thanks.

[Jack12477]

Absolutely magnificent model! I agree with Mark, museum quality!  Your figure carvings are outstanding.  

[druxey]

Well done indeed, Steven. It has been interesting to follow your journey into uncharted territory and ending up with a plausible result. I've enjoyed the presentation of what evidence you had in order to arrive at an outstanding conclusion. And thank you for putting up with my admittedly terrible puns.

[Cathead]

9 hours ago, Louie da fly said:

porphyry, the purplish marble reserved for Imperial use.

 

 

Oooh, my turn to show off pedantic knowledge! Geologically speaking, porphyry is an igneous rock (formed from cooling lava), whereas marble is metamorphic (physically and chemically transformed from limestone). However, in the building trade, "marble" is routinely used to refer to any crystalline rock that can be cut and polished regardless of origin. "Granite" is the same way in kitchens and baths; most "granite countertops" cause a geologist to bristle. 

 

Anyway, aside from the rare pleasure of applying my geologic background to model building, this has been such a wonderful journey through a period and ship-building style I knew nothing of. Thanks for sharing so much detail and context with us along the way. I am much the better for it.

 

Also, what happened to the horns on the guards' helmets? (ducks)

[cog]

What's left for me to say, than: Outstanding work, Steven. I did not expect such a fast finish. You took me by surprise this time, well most of the times anyway. I am curious as to what you next build will be. Hat of to you!

[Danstream]

I second all what was said: awesome, outstanding, magnificent. I learnt a lot from this build.

Congratulations,

Dan.

[bigpetr]

What I wanted to say just sounded, Bravo and big thanks for so well documented and shared journey.

[mtaylor]

I do hope that you will put some photos in the Gallery, Steven. 

[BANYAN]

That looks stunning Steven, and I think you may be selling your building skills a little short noting the scale of this model.  You have taken us on a wonderful voyage of discovery with this build, and I am looking forward to your next project - any hints?

 

cheers

 

Pat

[liteflight]

Not only a stunning and beautifully built model, Steven, but also a journey of discovery through the Byzantine empire.

 

Lots of unclear evidence winnowed and crystallised into the Dromon.

 

You can be proud of it/her ( I have no idea whether Mediterranean ships are referred to as feminine!)
 

Many thanks for sharing.  
I can safely say that no one who viewed your build log will ever pull a hose without seeing ( in their minds eye) a lateen yard rising steadily with three unfurlers ( Tom, Dick and Mustafa?) ensconced thereapon.

[Mark P]

Good Morning Steven;

 

A very nice model; the figures of the crew give so much atmosphere to the whole view. A highly worthwhile return on all those years of effort, research and thought!

 

Congratulations and well done!!

 

All the best,

 

Mark P

[Baker]

A masterpiece.

This was a pleasure to follow. And very educational.

congrats 👍

[Louie da fly]

Thanks everybody for the all the comments. It's very nice to have finally finished this build, and I'm pretty happy with the final result.

 

17 hours ago, druxey said:

thank you for putting up with my admittedly terrible puns.

 

Actually, much appreciated.

 

8 hours ago, mtaylor said:

I do hope that you will put some photos in the Gallery, Steven. 

 

Just done. I had to figure out how to make it all work - never posted in the galley before.

 

6 hours ago, BANYAN said:

I am looking forward to your next project - any hints?

 

I've got a few ideas, but haven't made up my mind yet - so many choices . .  And I still have to finish off the Great Harry.

 

5 hours ago, liteflight said:

three unfurlers ( Tom, Dick and Mustafa?)

 

Mustafa must be an Arabian immigrant - which wasn't all that uncommon. A lot of mutual exchange of populations. But a more likely group would be Con, Theo and Iouannis . . .

 

 

[Ab Hoving]

I like this project very much. Great research, nice building, amazing result. Congratulations.