How were biological weapons born?

Biological weapons are one of the world's most dangerous and difficult weapons to withstand. But actually, not everyone realizes that biological weapons are one of the most primitive weapons, the purest, the oldest, but also the most modern in human history.

Why do we have to assert that?

First, we need to understand what is the definition of "biological weapon" ? Biological weapon is a form of weapon of mass destruction based on the pathogenic or transmissible properties of microorganisms such as germs and bacteria; or toxins secreted by some germs to cause pathogens or death to humans, to animals or crops, to destroy crops, pollute the ecological environment.

Indeed, biological weapons can indeed originate from the simplest things. Take a simple example, that is when you were "unfortunate" when you were playing with a friend who was full of chicken pox, or she deliberately approached and touched you, causing you to get infected with water. cure and vaccination types. Basically, you can consider that as an example at a low level of biological weapons.

Picture 1 of How were biological weapons born?
Chickenpox is also a form of biological weapon.

According to historians, weapons and biological warfare techniques were not newly applied in modern times, but were actually first used by the Hittites thousands of years ago. With the ambition to expand his kingdom, the Hittite empire once occupied territory stretching from Turkey to present day Syria.

Unlike many empires that use violent muscle shoulders, bloody heads, Hittites use a much more interesting and profound tactic. Whenever they wanted to capture a certain city, they would send sick sheep and donkeys there to spread a disease called the "Hittite plague". After that, they would patiently wait a few years for the enemy forces to weaken before attacking and occupying.

Picture 2 of How were biological weapons born?
The Hittites have very vicious conquests.

In retaliation, in fact, this plan would be very lucid if Hittite army itself is not infected by this disease itself. It was the plague - one of the most feared pathogens in the ancient world, and it was also the beginning of the movement to apply other types of dirty chemical warfare, when they were immediately popularized. than in the next few centuries.

In a book about the biography of General Hannibal - a general of the state of Carthago, the ancient Roman historian Cornelius Nepos said that he threw jars of poisonous snakes on the ship of Pergamon in one naval battle.

Around the 2nd century AD, the inhabitants of Hatra defended against the Roman invaders using biological weapons: throwing earthen pots filled with scorpions . In addition, the medieval people also know how to use hallucinogenic mushrooms or even decomposing corpses to infect germs.

Picture 3 of How were biological weapons born?
This weapon is also known as . the scorpion bomb.

But perhaps, the most terrible biological war was the Tatar citadel of Kaffa in 1346. After being severely damaged by the plague, the Tatar people used a catapult to throw corpses away. yourself through the city wall into the city. The reason they did so was because they believed that the smell of the corpse would weaken the morale of the defending party.

Picture 4 of How were biological weapons born?
The Tarta army surrounded Kaffa.

However, things are not as simple as that.The main effect of this method is: the plague is widespread . The Kaffas had to flee their home cities, taking their illnesses with them to other countries. According to many historians, this is how the Black Death - acute anthrax spread to Europe and killed a third of the population . Basically, could Tatar people ever destroy an entire continent?

Picture 5 of How were biological weapons born?
Plague spread.

In general, biological weapons have unpredictable consequences , depending on their ability to spread within the animal or plant body. However, those pathogens can disappear very quickly or cause uncontrollable epidemics or counteract.

Therefore, if they do not understand them and use them, the military may also have to bear the consequences. Understanding and controlling pathogens, as well as "based" at the right time of use is extremely necessary.