Greek fire. The ancient weapon of destruction believed to have paved the way for Napalm
The earliest mentions of Greek fire surfaced around the seventh century CE. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, it's attributed to the architect and inventor Kallinikos of Heliopolis. It was created during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Constantine IV, hence it is occasionally referred to as Byzantine or Roman fire.
5:29 AM EST, January 12, 2024
The Byzantine military arsenal’s trump card
IFL Science proposes that Greek fire might have been created as an act of vengeance. Kallinikos, a Greek-speaking Jewish refugee, escaped from the Arab invasion of Syria. To prevent Constantinople from suffering a similar invasion, he worked on developing this terrifying weapon to help the Byzantines ward off Arab attacks. The recipe for Greek fire remained a highly prized secret.
The exact ingredients used in this lethal mixture are still a mystery. In her book "Byzantium: The Surprising Life of a Medieval Empire," Judith Herrin suggests it could have been a blend of petroleum and resin with variable proportions. Some other researchers propose that lime might also have been featured in the recipe for Greek fire.
This concoction was chiefly used to target enemy ships. Deployed from tubes mounted on ship prows or amidship, it was later projected through special launchers, which could also be operated on land. Based on available data, Greek fire was notoriously difficult to extinguish. Regular water proved ineffective. A particular antidote was required, formulated with urine, sand, and vinegar.
A consensus among experts suggests that Greek fire, the most potent weapon in the Byzantine army, was the precursor of napalm— a modern incendiary weapon found in flamethrowers, aerial bombs, and certain types of artillery and rocket shells. Like Greek fire, Napalm is challenging to suppress and can burn at temperatures up to 1200 °C (2192 °F).
