GREEK FIRE
A Powerful Ancient Weapon
SARASIJ MAJUMDER
One fascinating example of a weapon that was ahead of its
time was the Greek Fire, an incendiary substance used by the Byzantine Empire
during the medieval era. Developed around the 7th century, this powerful liquid
concoction possessed incredible destructive potential and was highly effective
in naval warfare. It was first used by
the Greeks besieged in
Constantinople (673–8).
Greek fire
was a devastating weapon capable of being fired through tubes like a
flamethrower, or hurled grenade-style in pots. It stuck to and burned
everything, and couldn't be doused by water, making it especially useful in
naval battles.
What made the weapon so unique and potent was its ability to
continue burning in water, which prevented enemy combatants from dousing the
flames during naval wars. It was possible that the flames burned even more
vigorously upon contact with water.
To make matters worse, Greek fire was a liquid concoction
that stuck to whatever it touched, be it a ship or human flesh. It was only
extinguishable with one bizarre mixture: vinegar mixed with sand and stale
urine.
Greek Fire was a closely guarded secret, with its exact
composition remaining a mystery to this day. It was said to be a mixture of
various flammable materials, including Naphtha like thing, Sulphur, and Resin.
The Byzantines ingeniously designed delivery systems that allowed them to
project the substance onto enemy ships. These included siphons, tubes, and even
catapults fitted with containers filled with Greek Fire.
What’s truly fascinating about Greek fire is that armies who
captured the liquid concoction were unable to recreate it for themselves. They
also failed to recreate the machine that delivered it. To this day, nobody
knows exactly what ingredients went into the mixture.
What made Greek Fire so remarkable was its ability to ignite
and continue burning on water. This unique characteristic gave the Byzantines a
significant advantage in naval battles, as they could unleash fiery mayhem upon
their enemies, even in the midst of the sea. The flames could not be easily
extinguished, and attempts to do so often made the inferno spread even further.
The Byzantine Empire’s use of Greek Fire was instrumental in
several key victories against formidable foes such as the Arabs, Bulgarians,
and even Vikings. It helped defend Constantinople against sieges and played a
crucial role in maintaining the empire’s dominance over critical trade routes.
The weapon was so effective at repelling enemy fleets that
it played a major role in ending the First Arab Siege of Constantinople in 678
A.D.
It was similarly successful during the Second Arab Siege of
Constantinople from 717-718 A.D., again causing massive damage to the Arab
navy.
The weapon continued to be used by the Byzantine Empire for
hundreds of years, not only in conflicts with outsiders but also in civil wars.
As time went on, it played a significant role in the continued survival of the
Byzantine Empire against countless enemies.
Some historians even argue that by keeping the
Byzantine Empire protected for centuries, Greek fire was instrumental in saving
the whole of Western civilization from a massive invasion from ISLAM.
Greek
fire was created in the 7th century, and Kalli Nikos of Heliopolis is
often credited as
the inventor.
Kalli Nikos was a Jewish architect who fled from Syria to Constantinople due to
his concerns about the Arabs capturing his city.
As the
story goes, Kalli Nikos experimented with a variety of materials until he
discovered the perfect blend for an incendiary weapon. He then took the CONCOCTION
to the Byzantine emperor for test.
The
emperor was very pleased, and mastered the formula.
Once
authorities could get their hands on all the materials, they developed
a siphon that operated somewhat like a syringe as it propelled the
deadly arsenal toward an enemy ship.
Greek
fire was not only incredibly effective but also intimidating. It reportedly
produced a loud roaring noise and large amounts of smoke, much akin to the
breath of a dragon.
Because
of its devastating power, the formula for creating the weapon was a tightly
guarded secret. It was known only to the Kalli Nikos family and Byzantine
emperors and handed down from generation to generation.
American NALPAM BOMB used in Vietnam war may the successor of GREEK FIRE .
References:-
1.0 Ancient History.
2.0 All that is interesting.
3.0History of Byzantine empire.
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