Around 800 AD, the Byzantine Empire utilized chelandion warships, specialized vessels designed for transporting horses and engaging in combat. These ships played a crucial role in supporting amphibious operations and military campaigns, showcasing the empire's naval capabilities. The design and use of chelandia reflect the strategic importance of naval power in Byzantine military history. Their effectiveness contributed to the empire's ability to project power across the Mediterranean.

Byzantine chelandion warships, emerging around 800, were praised in military hymns and chronicles, influencing Eastern Christian poetic traditions. These vessels symbolized naval mobility and strategic prowess, becoming a recurring motif in the literature of the Byzantine era.