GREEK FIRE THE WEAPON THAT PROTECTED THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE

 

            

 

Greek fire, called "hygro pyr" in Greek, was a mysterious incendiary weapon that helped the Byzantine Empire survive and continue to exercise its sovereignty for many centuries to come.

 

 

Using a unique formula, which not even today’s scientists can figure out, the Greeks of Byzantium kept their enemies away from their vast lands that once spanned all of southern Europe, North Africa, and Asia Minor.

 

Moreover, Greek fire saved Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, from repeated sieges by the Arabs.

 

Greek fire, as the Crusaders called it, was also called “liquid fire” or “sea fire”.  It was not the first incendiary weapon used in battle.  Yet historically, it was significant for its power.

 

Greek fire was created in the 7^th century, most likely the inventor was Kallinikos of Heliopolis, a Greek Jewish architect who flew from Syria to Constantinople.

 

It was the time that the Islamic forces of the prophet Muhammed were attacking the eastern territories of Byzantium and had taken over parts of Syria.

 

Concerned about the Islamic attack against Constantinople, Kallinikos experimented with a variety of materials until he discovered a mix for an incendiary weapon.  Kallinikos sent the formulas to the Byzantine Emperor and authorities developed a siphon that operated somewhat like a syringe, propelling the fiery concoction towards enemy ships.

Greek fire was mainly used to set enemy ships on fire from a distance.  Its ability to stay lit in the water for some time was its unique power.  That prevented the enemy from extinguishing the flame during naval battles.

 

It is said that this weapon produced a loud roaring noise and a lot of smoke and it was so effective, that the terrified enemy fled at its sight.

 

Historical records say that Greek fire stuck to whatever surface it touched.  Amazingly it could only be extinguished with a mixture of vinegar, sand, and old urine.

 

Greek fire was effective at repelling the enemy fleet, ending the First Arab Siege of Constantinople in 678 AD.

 

It was similarly successful during the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople 717-718 AD again causing massive damage to the Arab navy.  Naturally, the Byzantines kept its composition a guarded secret.

 

Only the Kallinikos family and the Byzantine emperors knew the secret formula, which was  passed from generation to generation.

 

The formula was so well guarded that even if the enemies of the Empire got their hands on Greek fire they could not reproduce it.

Ultimately, the recipe of Greek fire was lost in history.  From the 7^th century until the Fall of Constantinople, on the 29^th May 1453, this weapon protected the Empire from invaders, subsequently saving the whole of the Western Civilization.   

                                                  Medieval Constantinople