Greek fire was a chemical mixture that burned furiously. It burned even in water. The formula for Greek fire is uncertain, but it probably contained liquid petroleum thickened with resin and sulfur. It was first used in warfare in the A.D. 600’s. During medieval times, warriors used tubes and arrows to shoot Greek fire. They also hurled pots and bottles filled with the mixture. In Europe during the 1200’s, warriors began to use gunpowder instead of Greek fire. Gunpowder was a more effective means of damaging a distant target.
