Greek Fire, Poison Arrows, & Scorpion Bombs

Really well researched & written.

Timely delivery and in excellent condition.suppliers did what they said on the pack!

Excellent history of the use of ancient bio-chemical weapons which belies the fact that the ancients fought only in a fair manner. Tho the rules of engagement in antiquity stated that battles must be "fairly fought", the use of biologic and chemical weapons often dipped in poison (from serpents and human remains or excrement) was not uncommon, tho considered not "manly". Also shooting arrows from afar as opposed to combat face to face was frowned upon, even tho it was widely used (often by mercenaries) It would appear from mythology that those Greeks who used biochemical warfare were then made to suffer from it themselves, proving that the Gods really did frown upon that usage. Armies in ancient times used not only personal types of bio weapons, but also made great use of poisoning water supplies to effect victory. I came across this book's title in the back of a novel by the American author of thrillers, Brad Thor, who used it in reference for background for his novel. Thanks to Brad Thor for this and the other great book to which he made reference in the same novel, Hannibal Crosses the Alps, another wonderful history and analysis of an event in antiquity. I highly recommend this book for the history and veracity on this topic---well annotated and illustrated w/ancient Greek pottery of the periods in discussion.

Very interesting and enlightening book about ancient use of biological and chemical weapons and how they were developed, used and influenced the outcome of wars. The writing style is entertaining, enlightened and moves quickly. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in the history of warfare and the use of chemical and biologic agents to influence the outcome. This book makes it clear that these are tools of war that have been around for thousands of years.

So far this is my favorite book of Mayor's. It was a really well written book that I greatly enjoyed. I read this book on my flight to Europe this summer. It was an extremely easy and enjoyable read. I will probably read it again. It recommend this to all history and archaeology lovers!

Aside from a new preface, the book is a reissue of the first edition ( Greek Fire, Poison Arrows & Scorpion Bombs: Biological and Chemical Warfare in the Ancient World , 2003). Most of the historical examples come from the Greek world, the Roman empire and Asia Minor, yet the reader can also encounter other cases from the Middle East, China and India, although those related to this latter country are almost exclusively based on Kautilya's (4-3rd c. BCE)  The Arthashastra (Penguin classics)  ('Treatise on Statecraft') and on the accounts of Alexander the Great's experiences.Overarching Greek mythological themes include Hercules's Hydra-venom arrows and his gruesome death owing to a poisoned shirt, in similar vein to the gown received as a gift from the sorceress Medea and donned by the Corinthian princess Glauke; and the accidentally self-inflicted wound of Philoctetes on his way to the Trojan War. Among the historical personages and locations that come up frequently we find Alexander the Great, Mithridates VI of Pontus (d. 63 BCE), and Syracuse (Sicily).Topics discussed: poison arrows, especially those of the Scythians and the related toxin known as "scythicon" (drawing on sources from Herodotus, Aristotle, Theophrastus, and Aelian; pp. 77-86); venomous plants used in warfare (hellebore species, aconite, nightshade); poisoning drinking water, toxic honey, contaminated wine, etc.; plagues as weapons of war, i.e., driving disease-ridden animals to enemy land or sending 'poison maidens' to their camp; the idea that certain temples in the ancient world were utilized for storing contagious pathogens (and their antidotes?); deployment of chemical incendiaries and protective measures against them; and much more. While certainly interesting, the inclusion of war dogs, elephants, camels, etc. (chapter 6) in a discussion about bio/chemical weapons is quite a bit of stretch for me.Corrigenda:+ I don't think it's wise to call the respective territory of the Iberian Peninsula Spain and its inhabitants Spanish or Spaniards in the context of Carthaginian and Roman campaigns (pgs. 14, 72, 108, 155, 203, 225), but rather Iberians or, as the author does on one occasion (p. 155), "Celtiberians" or Ibero-Celts.+ A. Mayor asserts that Hungarians catapulted beehives at the Turks in 1289 (p. 180). Hardly so...Ottoman Turks first set foot on the European continent in the 1350s. One of the first major battles in the Balkans was fought between a Serb-led multi-ethnic Christian army and the Muslims at Kosovo Polye in 1389.Endnotes (pp. 259-93); bibliography (pp. 296-305). The illustrations are carefully selected; an historical time line (pp. 11-17) and an incomplete index facilitate navigating in the book. Greek Fire, Poison Arrows & Scorpion Bombs: Biological and Chemical Warfare in the Ancient WorldThe Arthashastra (Penguin classics)

We went to a public lecture of hers at Stanford and the room was packed. She has done her research well, writes in a manner that is academic without being dry, and masterfully makes her case. Also get her book on "The Poison King: The Life and Legend of Mithradates."