Byzantine Fire Ships: Secrets of Medieval Naval Warfare

https://www.ihadnoclue.com/article/1072788439305191425

During the Middle Ages, the Byzantine Empire utilized a technologically advanced military weapon known as the fire ship, which dominated naval warfare for centuries. These ships used Greek Fire, a mysterious substance that could burn even on water, and was projected onto enemy ships through siphons. The composition of Greek Fire remains a mystery today, but it was a state secret of the Byzantine Empire. The fire ships allowed the Byzantines to control vital maritime trade routes, despite being outnumbered by enemy forces. The psychological effect of these weapons was so significant that enemy fleets would often retreat without engagement. These fire ships underwent significant engineering over the Byzantine era and were operated by specially trained crews. The deployment of these ships was carefully planned as part of broader naval strategies. The technology of fire ships saved Constantinople multiple times and helped maintain Byzantine naval dominance for over 400 years. This naval advantage was a key factor in the Byzantine Empire's longevity and allowed it to allocate resources to other priorities. The fire ship technology also influenced naval architecture throughout the Mediterranean. By the 12th century, the use of Greek Fire began to decline, and after the fall of Constantinople to the Fourth Crusade in 1204, the secret of Greek Fire seems to have been lost. The disappearance of Greek Fire marked the end of an era in naval warfare and contributed to the empire's gradual decline in its final centuries.