Greek Fire

  • Greek Fire was a complex Incendiary weapon that projected a flammable mixture via a syphon onto an Enemy ship which could not then be extinguished by water. Greek Fire was in use between 674-1099 CE.

Callinicus

  • According to the Byzantine Chronicler Theophanes, Callinicus was the inventor of Greek Fire.
  • Callinicus was an Architect from Heliopolis. However, he may have just improved the device rather than invented it.

How Greek Fire worked

  • A flammable mixture was projected via a syphon onto an enemy wooden ship.
  • The liquid mixture had to be heated and pressurised, before being ignited and projected under great pressure onto the Enemy Vessel. The operator of the Syphon was called a ‘Siphonarioi’. Greek Fire was described as being accompanied by lots of smoke and a loud roaring.
  • Byzantine Dromons were specially equipped with a Syphon and trained crew placed in the Bows. Each crew member specialised in one aspect only of the weapon. If the vessel was captured, it was impossible for the Enemy to discover how the Syphon operated. Syphons could be added additionally to the sides and stern.
  • Greek Fire could also be used as a handheld weapon, by placing it into small Pots or using it as a grenade.

Ingredients

  • The Ingredients were such a well kept Military Secret that no Sources have survived describing its manufacture, and we can only speculate as to how it was made.

Before Greek Fire

  • Mixtures utilising Sulpher, Bitumen and Naptha (Petroleum) had been in use since the ninth century BCE. The mixture was placed in a Pot which was ignited then flung onto the Enemy’s deck or sides. Flaming arrows were also used.
  • The use of Fire as a weapon at sea was widespread during the Greek and Roman Period.
  • According to Thucydides, a tubular flame thrower was used at the Siege of Delium in 424 BCE.

First use of Greek Fire

  • At the Siege of Constantinople (674-8 CE).
  • 677/8 CE Constantine IV confronted the Arab Fleets with a Byzantine Navy equipped with syphons projecting ‘Greek Fire’ for the first time, and routed the Arab Fleets.
  • 1099 CE The last use of Greek Fire was recorded against the Persians by the Byzantine Princess, Anna Komnene.

 

Posted in .