Greek Fire, Poison Arrows, and Scorpion Bombs: Biological and Chemical Warfare in the Ancient World

With talk of bio-terrorism and chemical weapons in the news, Adrienne Mayor's exploration of the origins of biological and unethical warfare is an attention-grabber that follows through with fascinating illustrative episodes. At once timely and historic, Greek Fire, Poison Arrows & Scorpion Bombs is a meticulously researched page-turner that makes draws extraordinary connections between the mythical worlds of Hercules and the Trojan War, the accounts of Herodotus and Thucydides, and modern warfare. Greek Fire, Poison Arrows & Scorpion Bombs is the first book to trace biological and chemical warfare to its ancient roots and Mayor's thought-provoking findings are as riveting in their gruesomeness as they are surprising in their historical precedence. Drawing on a wide array of sources, both ancient and modern, Mayor recounts ancient recipes for concocting arrow poisons; she describes boobytraps rigged with plague; toxic honey, poisoned wells, and spiked wine; petroleum-based combustibles, choking gases, and incendiary bombs; and the deployment of dangerous animals and venomous insects.The author also explores the ambiguous moral implications inherent in this kind of warfare: if intelligence and cunning are to be valued, as well as physical courage on the battlefield, then are these nefarious forms of warfare ingenious or cowardly? Admirable or reprehensible? Greek Fire, Poison Arrows & Scorpion Bombs is a timely and engaging book, sure to hit its mark.