Greek Fire, Poison Arrows, and Scorpion Bombs

A gripping and groundbreaking history of how ancient cultures developed and used biological, chemical, and other unconventional weapons of war

Flamethrowers, poison gases, incendiary bombs, the large-scale spreading of disease: are these terrifying agents of warfare modern inventions? Not by a long shot. In this riveting history of the origins of unconventional war, Adrienne Mayor shows that cultures around the world have used biological and chemical weapons for thousands of years—and debated the morality of doing so. Drawing extraordinary connections between the mythical worlds of Hercules and the Trojan War, the accounts of Herodotus and Thucydides, and modern methods of war and terrorism, this richly illustrated history catapults readers into the dark and fascinating realm of ancient war and mythic treachery.

'Rich and entertaining.' Mary Carmichael, Newsweek

'[An] illuminating history of warfare. . . . Greek Fire, Poison Arrows, and Scorpion Bombs 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