Greek Fire - The Secret Weapon of the Eastern Roman Empire

Greek fire is one of history's most influential military inventions, but its formula remains a mystery to this day.

Simulate the Eastern Roman navy using Greek fire to burn enemy ships.

The Byzantine or Eastern Roman Empire used Greek fire since the 7th century to repel Arab invasions for many years, especially at sea. What makes this destructive weapon unique is its ability to continue burning, even bursting with greater intensity upon contact with water, hence the name "sea fire", according to All That's Interesting.

How did Greek fire come about?

Greek fire was created in the 7th century, most likely the invention of Kallinikos, a Jewish architect who fled from Syria to the capital Constantinople. It was a time when the Eastern Roman Empire was being attacked by the Muslim forces of Muhammad and some parts of Syria were captured.

Concerned that the Muslim army would continue to occupy Constantinople, Kallinikos experimented with various materials until he discovered a liquid mixture that helped create a devastating fire.

Kallinikos sent the recipe to the Byzantine emperor, and the authorities developed a weapon that worked like a syringe, propelling an incendiary mixture toward enemy ships.

Greek flamethrowers act like syringes.

Destructive firepower

Greek fire is not only effective but also extremely terrifying. Besides the ability to continue burning in water, it also produces a loud roar and emits a lot of smoke, reminiscent of a dragon's breath, causing enemies to "shudder in terror", according to World History.

Greek fire can also cling to any surface. Anything on board an enemy ship, such as rigs, sails, hulls and even people, will instantly catch fire if it comes into contact with it. Worse yet, there is no easy way to put out a fire. This particular flammable liquid spreads even more strongly in contact with water. Greek fire can only be extinguished with a strange mixture of vinegar, sand, and old urine.

Kallinikos' invention was effective in repelling enemy fleets and ending the First Arab Siege of Constantinople in 678. It was similarly successful in the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople. two (717 - 718).

Simulation version of the hand-held Greek flamethrower.

To date, no one knows exactly what ingredients make up Greek fire. Its recipe was a state secret, passed down only from generation to generation in the Kallinikos family and the Byzantine emperors.

One thing is for sure, Greek fire is complex. Even enemies who had direct contact with this destructive weapon did not know how to recreate it.

Some scholars have suggested that petroleum, quicklime, sulfur, potassium nitrate, and gunpowder may have been among the ingredients that made up Greek fire, but so far no reproduction has achieved any real effect. according to the Greek Reporter.

The mystery of the Greek fire continues to attract historians and scientists, who are still trying to understand its formula. It is likely that American writer and screenwriter George RR Martin also used the anecdote about Greek fire as inspiration for the wildfire in the popular novel and TV show Game of Thrones.

Effective for centuries

The Eastern Romans continued to use Greek fire for centuries, and its use was not limited to naval battles. This secret weapon is also used in many ways on land.

There is a handheld version of Greek fire called the Cheirosiphon, a weapon that resembles the ancient version of the flamethrower. Cheirosiphon first appeared under Emperor Leo VI (886 - 912) and was used for self-defense as well as for burning enemy wooden siege towers.

In addition, the Eastern Romans filled clay jars with Greek fire to hurl them at enemies like grenades.

Iron spikes - metal devices with spikes scattered on the ground to impede chariots - were also soaked in Greek fire by the Byzantine army to increase their lethality.

Grenades and iron spikes of the Byzantines.

From the 7th century until the fall of Constantinople on May 29, 1453, Greek fire played a very important role in the wars against invaders, making it one of the most influential military inventions. most influential in history.

According to some historians, it was the Greek fire that helped the Eastern Roman Empire repel powerful enemies such as the Arabs, Bulgarians and Russia, thereby saving the entire Western civilization.