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This animated documentary is part of our Units of History series covering elements of the Byzantine Army and more. In this episode we explore the Fire Ship super weapons which saved the Byzantine Empire.

The documentary begins with a look at the history of incendiary weapons. This stretches from the Assyrian Army to the Indian, Sassanid, Greek, and Roman forces as well. Specifically however we focus on the emergence of Naptha and Greek Fire. This technology came at a critical moment when the Byzantine Empire was being overrun by the Arab Conquests and would prove to be their savior.

In the equipment section we cover how the greek fire siphons were built and how they were mounted on Byzantine Dromons. We then turn to their tactical use in battle before covering their service history. This includes critical action during the numerous times when invaders tried to execute a siege of Constantinople. We cover the Arab Siege of Constantinople in the 8th century as well as the Kievan Rus attack on the city in the later 10th century.

In previous episodes we have covered the Byzantine Grenadiers, Varangian Guards, the Roman Cataphracts, and many more fascinating troop types. What Units of History should we cover next?

THE BYZANTINES
Byzantine Flamethrowers and Grenadiers :    • Units of History - Byzantine Flamethr...  
The Varangian Guard :    • Units of History - The Varangian Guar...  

THE HELLENISTIC WORLD
Macedonian Silver Shields :    • Units of History - The Macedonian Sil...  
Macedonian Companion Cavalry :    • Units of History - The Macedonian Com...  
The Spartan Skiritai :    • Units of History: The Skiritai - Spar...  
The Spartan Royal Guard :    • Units of History - The Spartan Royal ...  
The Sacred Band of Thebes :    • Units of History - The Sacred Band of...  
Mycenaean Chariots :    • Units of History - Mycenaean Chariots...  
Balearic Slingers :    • Units of History - The Balearic Sling...  

THE ROMANS
Roman Cataphracts :    • Units of History - Roman Cataphracts ...  
Roman Army Spies :    • Units of History - The Speculatores: ...  
Roman Army Scouts :    • Units of History - The Exploratores: ...  

THE NORTHMEN
The Jomsvikings Mercenaries :    • Units of History - The Jomsvikings Me...  
Viking Berserkers :    • Units of History - Viking Berserker D...  
Early Germanic Warriors :    • Units of History - Early Germanic War...  

THE AFRICANS
Nubian Archers :    • Units of History - Nubian Archers - L...  
The Sacred Band of Carthage :    • Units of History - The Sacred Band of...  
Carthaginian War Elephants :    • Units of History - Carthaginian War E...  
The Numidian Cavalry :    • Units of History - The Numidian Caval...  

THE NEAR EAST
The 10,000 Immortals :    • Units of History - The 10,000 Immorta...  

Credits
Research = Sophia Ware and Chris Das Neves
Script = Chris Das Neves
Narration = Guy Michaels
Editing = Penta Limited

Sources and Suggest Reading:
“Greek Fire” by Linda Alchin
“Byzantine authors: literary activities and preoccupations” by John Nesbitt
“Praecepta Militaria” by Nicephorus II Phocas
“Tactica” by Emperor Leo VI the Wise

#Units
#Byzantine
#Documentary