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Let me start with a thank you Thomas H has been first in the comments many
times and to show my gratitude this video is on a topic of his request
The legend of Greek fire
The ancient Greeks have been credited as the founders of western civilization and culture.
They have been credited with giving us mathematics, philosophy and democracy.
They also had a rich mythology They used myth to teach people about gods,
heroes, nature, and their religion.
The stories they told map the globe, tales of adventure and life’s truths.
From Achilles and Poseidon to Hercules and Athena, these stories have preserved the most
entertaining parts of Greek history well into the present day.
These myths and legends are still popular today, from Block buster historical movies
like ‘Troy’ and ‘clash of the titans’ to modern reimagining’s like ‘the Percy
Jackson series’ show that people still have a fascination with the Greeks and the stories
they told.
But for as much as we know there is much that we do not, many legends speak of not just
mythical monsters but magical objects.
These objects are often woven into the Greek heroic tales and this brings us to Greek fire.
So what was Greek fire?
It was a weapon was used to defeat the enemies of the Byzantine Empire and repel invading
hoards.
A substance steeped in legend it was said to have been gifted to the Greeks by the god
Prometheus.
The mysterious liquid was shot from pipes mounted on ships and city walls.
The would be attackers were sprayed in this substance which ignited upon impact, it was
said to even burn on water making the oceans boil.
When these flames were dosed with water in an attempt to stop the blaze, it only grew
larger engulfing more ships and causing massive devastation.
This was a weapon of terror and quickly became legend.
Any nation that wished to go to war with the Byzantine Empire knew they must face this
ancient WMD.
A more accurate definition of Greek fire is given by the ancient history encyclopedia.
An incendiary weapon first used in Byzantine warfare in 678 CE.
The napalm of ancient warfare, the highly flammable liquid was made of secret ingredients
and used both in catapulted incendiary bombs and sprayed under pressure so as to launch
flames at enemy ships and fortifications.
It was also used with success in defensive situations.
Greek Fire became the most devastating weapon of Christendom for over seven centuries and
ensured that Constantinople resisted all comers.
Emperor Romanos II (r.
959-963 CE) knew its value and declared three things must absolutely never reach foreign
hands: the Byzantine imperial regalia, any royal princess, and Greek Fire.
As it turned out, the first two were, on occasion, bestowed on foreign rulers but never the third.
So this ancient weapon of mass destruction was of such value its formula was one of the
best kept secrets of that age, even to this we day we cannot be 100% sure of what or how
it was made.
Researchers believe that the ancient napalm was probably a combination of quicklime and
naphtha or turpentine.
Quicklime or Calcium Oxide is a white, caustic, alkaline, crystalline solid at room temperature
but Upon coming in contact with water, quicklime increases its temperature to above 150 °C
and ignite the fuel.
On its own it is an effective weapon, Roman general Sertorius deployed choking clouds
of caustic lime powder to defeat the Characitani of Hispania, and Henry III used it to help
the English Navy destroy an invading French fleet by blinding them with the substance.
Naphtha or turpentine is a hydrocarbon that is derived from crude oil it is very similar
to modern petroleum and has the same properties.
It’s an easily ignited fuel source that can burn at high temperatures and float on
water.
So how was this mixture used on the battlefield?
It could be launched in containers, these containers being varying sizes from large
jars fired from catapults to smaller handheld vials that would be thrown like modern hand
grenades.
But probably the most infamous weapons were the flame breathing beasts mounted on the
Byzantine ships.
These ships had metal sculptures of a lions and other beasts on their prow, made from
a combination of iron and brass Greek fire was pumped along tubes running into these
sculpted heads.
They then spewed the deadly concoction over the approaching force.
A terrifying sight for anyone of that time, unnerving enemies and emphasizing the strength
and ferocity of the Greek fleet.
The weapon acted like an ancient nuclear deterrent and thus was so secret the actual recipe has
been lost.
And as is with most weaponry, it was eventually surpassed by gunpowder.
Gunpowder was widely adopted by all and Greek fire was confined to the annals of history.
Once again many thanks to Thomas H for suggesting this topic.
And If you have an idea for video let me know in the comments below
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