| Greek Fire, also known as Byzantine Fire, Greek | | | | came from, though many believe that it was |
| Byzantine Fire, and Sea Fire, was a terrifying | | | | invented in Constantinople by chemists who |
| naval weapon mastered by the Greeks and the | | | | studied the early sciences. Accounts say putting |
| Byzantines during early Medieval times. | | | | water on the fire only spread it more widely, |
| This may be the earliest form of naval napalm, | | | | leading many historians to believe it was some |
| and allowed their ships to fight with fire, with | | | | form of oil. |
| some claims that there was so much fire that it | | | | While Greek fire gave the Byzantines a frightening |
| seemed like they could light the water itself. | | | | weapon, they fell because they were surrounded |
| The Byzantines usually used it in naval battles to | | | | on all sides, and eventually just ran out of |
| great effect, and their opponents' ships generally | | | | population. This Greek fire was used against |
| couldn't escape it since the Greek fire would | | | | barbarians, Muslim invaders, and the Rus--not to |
| continue to burn, even on water. As the fire | | | | mention the Venetians when the Fourth Crusade |
| spread, more and more ships would be consumed | | | | decided to sack Constantinople instead of |
| by the fire. | | | | continuing on. |
| By what few surviving historical accounts we | | | | Everyone knew to fear Greek fire, and it |
| have left, Greek fire could continue burning even | | | | probably had the same effect that a well hidden |
| on water and was largely responsible for many | | | | sniper has on enemy forces in modern times. |
| Byzantine military victories, extending the life of | | | | The major down side was that Greek fire was |
| the empire several centuries. | | | | very hard to control, and it would often |
| During many early battles with Islamic nations | | | | accidentally set Byzantine ships ablaze, and an |
| over Constantinople, victory was assured only | | | | occasional accident could result in huge casualties |
| because Greek fire could not be countered, and | | | | in their own armies. |
| was used to devastating effect. | | | | The effectiveness of Greek fire was obvious, but |
| What is really interesting is that accounts have | | | | even so it had its own limitations. For example, |
| the fire being transmitted in streams of fire from | | | | because of its short range it was far more |
| enemy ships, almost like a flame thrower. The | | | | effective as a weapon in narrow straights or |
| exact formula for this naval medieval weapon | | | | canals than in the open seas where there was |
| was a secret, and actually remains a mystery to | | | | room to maneuver. |
| this day. | | | | From what we know, whatever the ingredients |
| Scientists can only guess as to what it was, and | | | | were, they were heated in a cauldron, and then |
| how it was shot in a flame thrower form. The | | | | pumped out of the ship in a fiery stream. Some |
| funny thing is, they really have no clue, showing | | | | degree of this was adapted for city use, and |
| that in some ways, our ancestors were certainly | | | | used in early "grenade" like form: terrifying cavalry |
| had technologies we don't have today! | | | | and soldiers alike. |
| There are varying accounts of where Greek fire | | | | |