According to historical data, the first time the "Greek fire" was applied in the year 673 during the defense of Constantinople from the siege of the Arabs.Then the secret engineering invention, the precise composition and properties of that debate and in our time, saved the Byzantine capital.Along with this there is no doubt that before the military conflict weapon with the same effect is not applied.The fact that the result of its use has become so overwhelming that the closest analogue to it can be called unless the attacks with atomic bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
While the siege of Constantinople was made predominantly by sea, by land because the city was almost impregnable.To guard against the Arab bulk engineer Callinicos handed ruling when Emperor Constantine IV recipe of unknown composition of the fuel, which was to completely liquidate the attacker fleet.The governor had no choice but to take the risk and apply the "Greek fire".As a result, the Arabs were so shocked that fled in panic fear, and most of their ship was burned to the ground.
The main advantage of the new weapon was that the composition of the burned and on the ground and in the water.Simmer it in this sense was not, in fact in contact with water only increased the fire and save the ship shelled them was unreal.Raw materials for the "Greek fire" was placed in a container, which is then dumped on the enemy at the expense of throwing a special installation.The mixture is then poured and caught fire due to the interaction with the air.New weapons in the future more than once saved Constantinople from attack Arabs.
Some time later Byzantine engineers have perfected a way of throwing.Their fleet began to establish a special tube, through which the "Greek fire" was produced under the pressure created by pumps, and bellows.The shot was accompanied by strong roar, that the enemy into horror.The composition of the mixture of Byzantine rulers kept in strict confidence, and numerous attempts of other peoples to learn the secret failed.Only five centuries later, the Emperor Alexius III lost power and fled the country.Eight years later, during the siege of the Syrian Damietta, Saracens used this weapon.
Even after the loss of their privacy, "Greek fire" was used in the military for a long time and only lost its relevance after the invention of firearms.Last historic memory of its use dates back to 1453.By means of a combustible mixture in the siege of the same Constantinople resorted and protect the Byzantines, and the attacking Turks, who finally celebrated a victory.
After this secret mixture faded and many historians have devoted many years of searching for clues, but this has not led to success.Due to the fact that the "Greek fire" was burning well water, many scientists argue that the basis for its preparation served as oil.The most common opinion is that the mixture is prepared by combining pure sulfur oil.Next, it was heated and burned.As for the proportions of the composition, it is still a mystery.
