Callinicus of Heliopolis
Callinicus of Heliopolis (Medieval Greek: Καλλίνικος fl. 620 AD)[1] was Byzantine architect[2][3][4] and alchemist of Jewish[5][6][7] or Egyptian origin.[8] He is credited with the invention of Greek fire, the premodern precedent of the flamethrower.
According to Constantine Porphyrogenitus, he arrived in Byzantium in the time of Constantine IV and shared his knowledge of liquid fire with the Byzantines.[9][10] Callinicus’ exact formula was a carefully guarded secret, and remains unknown today. Possible ingredients include resin, asphalt, sulfur, naphtha, fine quicklime, and calcium phosphide.[11]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Herbst, Judith (2006). The History of Weapons. p. 7. ISBN 9780822538059.
- ^ "Callinicus of Heliopolis | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ^ "Callinicus Of Heliopolis".
Born in the city of Heliopolis, there is little information regarding Callinicus' origin and early years.
- ^ Salam, Abdus; Lai, C. H.; Kidwai, Azim (1989). Ideals and Realities: Selected Essays of Abdus Salam. World Scientific. ISBN 978-981-02-0081-7.
- ^ "Callinicus of Heliopolis | britannica.com". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ Breverton, Terry (2012). Breverton's Encyclopedia of Inventions. Quercus Publishing. ISBN 9781780873404.
- ^ Cobb, Cathy; Goldwhite, Harold (2013). Creations of Fire Chemistry's Lively History from Alchemy to the Atomic Age. Springer US. ISBN 9781489927705.
- ^ Ball, Johnny. Wonders Beyond Numbers A Brief History of All Things Mathematical. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 212. ISBN 9781472939968.
- ^ Forbes, Robert James (1959). More studies in early petroleum history. Brill Archive.
- ^ Paul J. Alexander, "The Strength of Empire and Capital as Seen through Byzantine Eyes," Speculum 37.3 (1962) 347.
- ^ Cheronis, Nicholas D. (1937). "Chemical warfare in the middle ages. Kallinikos' "prepared fire"". Journal of Chemical Education. 14 (8): 360. doi:10.1021/ed014p360. ISSN 0021-9584.
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