Greek Fire - MSN Encarta

Windows Live® Search Results

Greek fire - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Greek fire was a burning-liquid weapon used by the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantines typically used it in naval battles to great effect as it could continue burning even on water.
Amazon.co.uk: Greek Fire: Oliver Taplin: Books
Amazon.co.uk: Greek Fire: Oliver Taplin: Books ... This item is not eligible for Amazon Prime, but millions of other items are.
Greek Fire
Go to this site providing information about the facts, history of the Greek Fire. Fast and accurate facts about the Greek Fire.Learn about the history of the Greek Fire.

See all search results in
Windows Live® Search Results

Greek Fire, a gelatinous, incendiary mixture, used in warfare before gunpowder was invented. Flammable liquids had long been in use, but it was not until the 7th century that Greek fire was invented, possibly by Callinicus, an Egyptian architect who had fled from Syria during the Muslim invasions. Greek fire was an effective weapon, especially when used against ships at sea. The substance apparently ignited spontaneously, and could not be extinguished by water. In 673 Greek fire was used by the Byzantine Empire to repel an Arab fleet attacking Constantinople; the Byzantine Empire continued to use Greek fire in combat until the empire's fall in 1453.

The formula of Greek fire was closely guarded as a state secret for many centuries by the Byzantine Empire. The exact composition of Greek fire is still disputed, but it was probably composed of a mixture of flammable materials such as sulphur and pitch in a petroleum base. This jelly-like mixture was sprayed on the enemy from tubes through which it was forced under pressure by pumps.