Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, 2013. — 1 p.
The purpose of this project was to investigate Greek fire, the secret chemical weapon used by the Byzantines to fend off Arab naval attacks from the 7th to the 12th centuries. Questions explored include what the composition of Greek fire was, and how it was effectively utilized in battle. The secret of Greek fire was protected for almost five centuries by applying a strict system of compartmentalization, where only a few individuals understood the
entire system. The problem with this compartmentalization? The Byzantines kept the secret so well that by the end of the 12th century, the secret of how to (re-)produce the Byzantine secret weapon had been lost forever.
What is it?
The Composition
The Secret
Keepers of the Secret
Acknowledgements