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Greek fire
Greek fire, a liquid charge made largely from naphtha. It was thrown from mortars as an offensive weapon against ships, acting as a flaming torch against masts and sails. It was developed in the Byzantine Empire during the 7th century ad, and came into general use after it was employed with conspicuous success against the Arab fleet when the fleet attacked Constantinople in 678. Greek fire was then widely adopted as a naval weapon by most of the maritime countries of the Mediterranean, but fell into disuse after the introduction of guns as naval weapons and the consequent increase in range at which battles at sea were fought. This made it useless, since the charge always burned out before it was able to reach its target.
See also warfare at sea. |
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Cite this article
"Greek fire." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Greek fire." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-Greekfire.html "Greek fire." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-Greekfire.html |
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Greek fire
Greek fire a flammable composition believed to have consisted of sulfur, naphtha, and quicklime. Although known in antiquity, it was first employed on a large scale by the Byzantines. Bronze tubes that emitted jets of liquid fire were mounted on the prows of their galleys and on the walls of Constantinople. The Byzantines in 678 and again in 717-18 destroyed two Saracen fleets with Greek fire. |
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Cite this article
"Greek fire." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Greek fire." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Greekfir.html "Greek fire." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Greekfir.html |
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Greek fire
Greek fire a combustible compound emitted by a flame-throwing weapon and used in ancient times to set light to enemy ships. It was first used by the Greeks besieged in Constantinople (673–78). It ignited on contact with water, and was probably based on naphtha and quicklime.
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Cite this article
"Greek fire." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Greek fire." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-Greekfire.html "Greek fire." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-Greekfire.html |
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