medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Good point. I had forgotten about this use of oil. This stuff is, I think,
normally referred to as Greek Fire and it was a sort of medieval Napalm.
It's usage was pretty much confined to the Middle East and Byzantium,
off-hand I can't think of any western European sieges where its use is
recorded.
In my defence I was thinking about boiling oil being used in the context of
the original question, i.e. being poured down machicolations onto attackers.
Good reference though, I'll be using that one.
Thanks
Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bonnie Blackburn" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2007 11:36 AM
Subject: Re: [M-R] Oil
> medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
>
> Well, here is a reference to oil, as part of a mixture of sulphur, oil,
> pitch, and tow, set on fire and hurled onto a siege tower:
>
> Nec mora, minime diem expectantes, sed rapidum ignem sulfure, oleo, pice
> et stuppis suscitantes, machine regis subito iniecerunt, ut uiros ab ea
> absterrerent sagittas assidue desuper intorquentes et urbem ualide
> impugnantes.
>
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