Greek Fire, Poison Arrows, and Scorpion Bombs

“Rich and entertaining.”—Mary Carmichael, Newsweek”[An] illuminating history of warfare… . Greek Fire also excavates ancient attitudes toward biological and chemical arms that are startlingly relevant today… . Mayor is comprehensive about the history, ethics, and science of early biological and chemical weapons. Skillfully combing ancient texts, she describes cultures as varied as the Scythians and the Chinese with their chemical fire lances and poison ‘vapors.’ Mayor shows most cultures devised exotic weaponry—and debated their use.”—Jay Currie, Christian Science Monitor “Mayor marshals not just myth, but also the writing of ancient authors and evidence from archaeological digs to show that biological and chemical weapons saw action in battles long before the modern era.”—John Wilford Noble, New York Times“Recounts in lively, sometimes darkly comic detail the diabolical stratagems devised by devious warriors.”—Joseph D’Agnese, Discover”[A] fascinating and engaging book.”—Hans van Wees, American Scientist“This is the kind of book that should confound those who question whether the study of the ancient world has any ‘relevance’ for the present day. At the same time it induces a certain awe in the conventional classicist, whose footsteps follow the trodden paths of scholarship, by reason of its impressive range of reference… . This book shows that ancient warfare was every bit as vicious and unscrupulous as warfare in the nuclear age… . A fascinating chapter of Mayor’s book is devoted to poisons, and might become the standard basic treatment of poisons in antiquity… . Beautifully written.”—Richard Stoneman, Classical Review“Superbly researched.”—Stuart Fleming, Expedition“Highly recommended.”—Zygmunt Dembek, Naval War College Review“Mayor shows how the ancients’ reactions to biological weapons prefigure contemporary attitudes… . [She] spices her astute commentary with diverse opinions about biological weapons.” * Booklist *“The book’s many strengths include discussion of how animals, flammables, and poisons were employed on the battlefield… . Mayor does an excellent job of illuminating some fascinating and often overlooked methods, strategies, and events of ancient combat.” * Library Journal *”[An] eye-opener and page-turner.”—Jane Manaster, Seattle Book Review“The scope of the book is wide-ranging, taking in cultures from around the world, ancient and modern… . The depth of research … is impressive. The accounts of the use of poisons, plagues, insects, camels, elephants and naptha … make this an informative and gripping, if occasionally gruesome, read.”—Mike Smith, Classics for All”[A] fascinating account.”—Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs“Thought-provoking …. it is the product of rigorous research and has much to say.”—Ellie Mackin Roberts, Times Literary Supplement

Adrienne Mayor is the author of The Poison King: The Life and Legend of Mithradates, Rome’s Deadliest Enemy, which was a finalist for the National Book Award, Gods and Robots: Myths, Machines, and Ancient Dreams of Technology, and The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women across the Ancient World (all Princeton). She is a research scholar in classics and the history of science at Stanford University.