	Site Map \| FAQ in Daily Almanac for Dec 5, 2009 Search White Pages
Skip Navigation Home Winter Holidays Atlas Encyclopedia Dictionary Thesaurus Features Quizzes Timelines Countries Slideshows

Fact Monster Kid's reference,
games, quizzes

Editor's Favorites

Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—G

Greek Fire

A composition of nitre, sulphur, and naphtha. Tow steeped in the mixture was hurled in a blazing state through tubes, or tied to arrows. The invention is ascribed to Callinicos, of Heliopolis, A.D. 668.

A very similar projectile was used by the Federals in the great American contest, especially at the seige of Charleston.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894

Greek Gift

Greek Cross

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Greek Fire

More on Greek Fire from Infoplease:

Related Content