Greek Fire Collection

Greek fire. Miniature from the Madrid Skylitzes, 11th-12th century. Artist: Anonymous
Greek fire. Miniature from the Madrid Skylitzes, 11th-12th century. Found in the collection of the Biblioteca Nacional, Madrid

WARFARE: GREEK FIRE. Use of Greek Fire. Byzantine manuscript illumination from the Skylitzes Codex, 13th-14th century

A mechanical catapult
5308082 A mechanical catapult.; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a mechanical catapult wound up by a winch (right). When the rope was released

Destruction of Ships by Greek Fire (engraving)
672200 Destruction of Ships by Greek Fire (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Destruction of Ships by Greek Fire)

The Byzantines using Greek fire against an attacking Arab fleet (engraving)
3647182 The Byzantines using Greek fire against an attacking Arab fleet (engraving) by German School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Liquid fire, first employed by the Germans, succesfully adopted by the Allies
STC359786 Liquid fire, first employed by the Germans, succesfully adopted by the Allies, 1914-19 (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English

Greek fire during the Siege of Constantinople, 1832. Private Collection

Siege catapults, 1842. Artist: Friedrich Martin von Reibisch
Siege catapults, 1842. A mangonel throwing a projectile of Greek fire (left) and a trebuchet (right). Plate from A History of the Development and Customs of Chivalry, by Dr Franz Kottenkamp

Greek fire during the Siege of Constantinople, before 1839. Artist: Bruni, Fyodor Antonovich (1800-1875)
Greek fire during the Siege of Constantinople, before 1839. Found in the collection of the Russian National Library, St. Petersburg

Siege, c1260, (1843). Artist: Henry Shaw
Siege, c1260, (1843). Copy of a manuscript illustration showing assailants, under cover of a kind of shed which has been moved by wheels up to the walls, undermining the tower

Roman soldiers delivering Greek fire by means of arrows and slings, 1605. From Poliorceticon by Justus Lipsius. (Antwerp, 1605)

Extremes Meet, 1863. Artist: John Tenniel
Extremes Meet, 1863. This cartoon depicts Abraham Lincoln on the left and Alexander II on the right, shaking hands across the divide, and with fighting and death taking place behind them

Greek fire used in ancient warfare
Machine for throwing Greek fire, used in ancient times. Hand-colored 19th-century woodcut of an earlier illustration

Engraving depicting a mechanical catapult wound up by a winch (right). When the rope was released, the weight (upper right) pulled the arm swiftly downwards

CIVIL WAR: GREEK FIRE. Confederate General Pierre G. T. de Beauregard, defender of Charleston, South Carolina
CIVIL WAR: GREEK FIRE. Confederate General Pierre G.T. de Beauregard, defender of Charleston, South Carolina, is shocked by the explosion of a Greek Fire bomb shell during the Union siege of

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"Unleashing the Flames of Destruction: The Power and Legacy of Greek Fire" Greek fire, a fearsome weapon that ignited terror on the battlefields, has left an indelible mark in history. Depicted in ancient manuscripts like the Madrid Skylitzes, this incendiary substance was a game-changer in warfare. Its usage by Byzantine forces against Arab fleets showcased its devastating capabilities. Engravings capturing the destruction caused by Greek fire further emphasize its potency. Ships engulfed in flames stand as testament to its ability to turn naval battles into infernos. Even beyond Byzantium's borders, this lethal innovation found new life when adopted successfully by Allied forces during World War I. The Siege of Constantinople serves as a vivid backdrop for Greek fire's prominence. As depicted before 1839 and again in 1832, it became a pivotal tool for defenders fending off relentless attacks. Artists like Friedrich Martin von Reibisch and Bruni immortalized these fiery encounters through their detailed illustrations. Siege catapults also played a role in delivering Greek fire onto enemy lines, as seen in Henry Shaw's artwork from 1843. These mechanical marvels launched projectiles filled with liquid fire towards adversaries with deadly precision. Interestingly, Greek fire even transcended time periods and cultures; Roman soldiers were shown employing it centuries earlier using arrows and slingshots according to depictions from 1605. This fusion of ancient techniques with modern firepower is captured poignantly by John Tenniel's "Extremes Meet" engraving from 1863. From antiquity to more recent conflicts, the legacy endures—a testament to human ingenuity amidst warfare's darkest moments. Its impact on military strategy remains unparalleled even today—an everlasting reminder of mankind’s ability to harness destructive power for both defense and offense alike.