Greek fire

Greek fire is the combustible mixture that was used with the military aims during the medieval times. First it was used by Byzantines during the maritime battles. The exact structure of the Greece fire is unknown.

The prototype of the Greek fire appeared supposedly in 424 BC. At that time the mixture of oil, sulphur and petrol was released from the hollow logs. The Greek fire was invented in 673 year by the engineer and architecture Callinic from the city conquered by Arabs. He ran to Byzantine Empire and there he proposed the new weapon in the battle against the Arabs.

The equipment for the Greek fire had the view of the copper pipe through which the liquid was released. Supposedly the maximal range of the pipe reached 25 meters. That is why first the Greek fire was used only in fleet battles. It is necessary to mention that the Greek fire was very dangerous for the ships of that time fully made of the wood. According to people this fire couldn't be put out because it continued burning even on the surface of the water.

During the land battles the Byzantines were loosing them, but during the sea battles the Greek fire gave huge advantage to them. Thanks to it in 718 the huge maritime victory was got over the Arabs. In 941 Byzantines damaged the fleet of the prince Igor Rurik. The secret of the Greek fire making was kept carefully however after Constantinople was conquered the receipt of the Greek fire became known in the whole Western Europe.