What was the Byzantine secret weapon?

Developed in the Byzantine empire of the seventh century, Greek fire

Greek fire

Greek fire was an incendiary weapon used by the Eastern Roman Empire beginning c. 672. Used to set fire to enemy ships, it consisted of a combustible compound emitted by a flame-throwing weapon. Some historians believe it could be ignited on contact with water, and was probably based on naphtha and quicklime.

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Greek fire - Wikipedia

was a devastating weapon capable of being fired through tubes like a flamethrower, or hurled grenade-style in pots. It stuck to and burned everything, and couldn't be doused by water, making it especially useful in naval battles.

What weapons did the Byzantine Empire use?

They were armed with spear or lance and sword and armored in mail.

What was the secret weapon used by the Byzantines to repel the Islamic invasion of 717?

The Arab fleet, which accompanied the land army and was meant to complete the city's blockade by sea, was neutralized soon after its arrival by the Byzantine navy through the use of Greek fire.

What did the Byzantine Empire use as a secret weapon to defeat Islamic armies?

The Arabs staged two sieges of Constantinople. The Byzantines used "Greek Fire," like a flamethrower, to defeat them.

What is the secret of Greek fire?

Most modern scholars have deduced that Greek fire was likely comprised of a type of crude oil combined with other substances, such as pine resin, to increase the potency of the flames as well as the length of time it burned. However, the exact combination of substances that made up Greek fire is still unknown.

The Truth About The Secret Weapon Of The Byzantine Empire

Can Greek fire burn underwater?

Also, some ships were able to pump the compound directly onto the other ship and then ignite it. Greek fire was so effective at sea that it would continue to burn even under water.

Is Greek fire just napalm?

Most modern scholars agree that Greek fire was based on either crude or refined petroleum, comparable to modern napalm.

What was Rome's secret weapon?

Some 1,800 years ago, Roman troops used "whistling" sling bullets as a "terror weapon" against their barbarian foes, according to archaeologists who found the cast lead bullets at a site in Scotland.

What was the most famous weapon of the Byzantines?

Developed in the Byzantine empire of the seventh century, Greek fire was a devastating weapon capable of being fired through tubes like a flamethrower, or hurled grenade-style in pots.

Which weapon helped defeat the Byzantine capital?

The Byzantine Empire finally fell in 1453 when the Ottoman soldiers, armed with cannons, broke down the walls of Constantinople and occupied the capital city. However, the Byzantine Empire's defeat was hundreds of years in the making and took the work of several different powerful forces.

What was the Greeks secret weapon?

The “Greek fire” also called “Powerful Ancient Weapon”, “sea fire “or “liquid fire”. In the seventh century around 673 AD, the Byzantines created a weapon known as “Greek fire” to protect Constantinople during the Arab siege.

How did Constantinople protect the Golden Horn?

A Chain to Protect the Golden Horn

The first and predictable measure was the construction of walls along the shoreline. The second security measure however, consisted of pulling a huge iron chain from Constantinople to the old Galata Tower, hence preventing unwelcome ships from entering the Golden Horn.

What sword did the Byzantines use?

The paramerion (Medieval Greek: Παραμήριον) was a saber-like curved sword used by the Byzantine military. The one-edged cutting weapon was primarily used by Byzantine cavalry and took inspiration from similar swords of the Middle East.

What was the Byzantine spear called?

The menaulion or menavlion (Greek: μεναύλιον), also menaulon or menavlon (μέναυλον) was a heavy spear with a length of 2.7 to 3.6 metres with a thick shaft, used by the Byzantine infantry as early as the 10th century AD, against enemy heavy cavalry.

What made the Byzantine Empire so powerful?

Advances in military strength, religious influence, and the arts made the Byzantines one of the most powerful forces in the world of the Middle Ages. The territories of the empire continued to change. Lands were lost to Islam in North Africa, Egypt, Palestine, and Syria.

What made the Byzantine Empire so strong?

Byzantine Empire Flourishes

It also benefited greatly from a stronger administrative center and internal political stability, as well as great wealth compared with other states of the early medieval period.

What was the best Roman weapon?

Out of all the Roman weapons, the most popular and commonly used was the gladius. The gladius was a short, 2-sided sword that gained prominence during the late Roman Republic, and remained popular throughout most of the Roman Empire.

What was the most powerful weapon in ancient Rome?

The Ballista was one of the most powerful weapons in the Roman military's arsenal, and was definitely a force to be reckoned with! Simply put, Ballistae are a type of ancient missile weapon, designed to launch large projectiles – such as stones and darts – at a distant target.

What was the first Roman weapon?

In the Roman Republic, the term gladius Hispaniensis (Spanish sword) referred (and still refers) specifically to the short sword, 60 cm (24 inches) long, used by Roman legionaries from the 3rd century BC. It is considered to be the primary weapon used by soldiers in war.

What is the Nero secret weapon?

DAYS GONE: killing every enemy with the unknown NERO weapon - IPCA stun gun.

What was Spartacus main weapon?

He was a heavyweight gladiator called a murmillo. These fighters carried a large oblong shield (scutum), and used a sword with a broad, straight blade (gladius), about 18 inches long.

How powerful was a sling?

Recent experiments conducted in Germany showed that a 50-gram Roman bullet hurled by a trained slinger has only slightly less stopping power than a . 44 magnum cartridge fired from a handgun. Other tests revealed that a trained slinger could hit a target smaller than a human being from 130 yards away.

Does napalm burn underwater?

Versions of napalm B containing white phosphorus will even burn underwater (if there is trapped oxygen in folds of cloth, for example) so even jumping into rivers and lakes won't help those unfortunate souls attacked with this vile weapon.

What is a nape bomb?

noun. chemistry. a bomb made from a thick and highly incendiary liquid, usually consisting of petrol gelled with aluminium soaps, used in firebombs, flame-throwers, etc.

How hot did napalm get?

Napalm burns at temperatures ranging from 800 to 1,200 °C (1,470 to 2,190 °F). In addition, it burns longer than gasoline, is more easily dispersed, and sticks to its targets. These traits make it effective and controversial.