Greek Fire

Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)

an inflammable substance first used in war by the Greeks of the Eastern Empire in the eighth century. The process of its manufacture was obtained from India and was kept a secret for several centuries. The fire is supposed to have been composed of niter, sulphur, and naphtha. It was thrown by means of tow fastened to an arrow or a dart, or else it was projected through a tube. Wherever it fell, it burned with inconceivable rapidity, and, like gunpowder, could not be extinguished by ordinary means. Chambers suggests that the term cracker, as used in firecracker, is a Norman corruption of the word creyke of the Middle Ages , in turn derived from grecque, by which this composition was known in Europe. From all accounts Greek fire must have resembled gunpowder. In 717, when the Saracens were repulsed from a determined attack upon Constantinople, capital of the Greek Empire, the newly invented "Greek fire" was the chief weapon of the defense. The Mohammedans learned its secret at a later time and used it with terrible effect. Six centuries later, western Europe was still ignorant of its composition. The crusader, Joinville (1274), who first saw it in a night battle, describes it as follows: Its nature was in this wise, that it rushed forward as large round as a cask of verjuice, and the tail of the fire which issued from it was as big as a large-sized spear. It made such a noise in coming that it seemed as if it were a thunderbolt from heaven, and it looked like a dragon flying through the air. It cast such a brilliant light that in the camp we could see as clearly as if it were noonday. In modern fireworks various compounds that burn with brilliant effects are known as Greek fire. In addition to the niter, sulphur, and charcoal depended upon for rapid burning qualities, various substances are compounded to produce flames of desired colors. Lycopodium, used also to produce stage lightning, may be added to produce a flashing, rose-colored flame of intense brilliancy. Lamp-black may be used with the niter to produce reds, pinks, and showers of golden sparks. Verdigris imparts a pale green. Blue vitriol and salammoniac are used for green effects. Camphor gives a white flame and counteracts the annoying fumes produced by the ingredients.