436 Rev. Mr. Conybeare on the Greek Fire. [Dec. 
the defendants to take aim. One regrets that Apollo had not 
reserved a portion of his bolts to avenge the later depredations 
of Nero. 
But to leave the regions of conjecture, I am indebted to that 
strange mixture of learning and absurdity, the Magia Naturalis 
of Baptista’ Porta for reference to an earlier authority on the 
subject of the Greek fire (or of a compound at least answering 
closely to its description) than any of those produced by Beck- 
man, Dutens, or Dr. M. It seems indeed to have escaped the 
notice of Gibbon himself, who must nevertheless have read it. 
Ammianus Marcellinus, in detailing the immense preparations of 
Julian for his last campaign, particularizes among the warlike 
engines one which was named Malleolus. He describes it as a 
dart having between its shaft and point.a species of iron cradle 
with many apertures. The interior of this was filled with an 
inflammable compound (ignem cum aliquoalimento). It was to 
be thrown from a weak or slackened bow (arcu invalido aut 
remissiore), as it was liable to be extinguished (perhaps, before 
it was fully ignited) by passing rapidly through the air. Where- 
ever it fell, it burned tenaciter; water served only to increase 
the vigour of the flame which was extinguishable by dust alone 
(nec remedio ullo quam superjacto pulvere consopitur). This is 
precisely the “ non enim extinguitur aqua sed arena” of the 
monkish rhymer. Within a few pages, Ammianus has another 
passage which seems to establish the identity of one variety of 
naphtha with the inflammable ingredient which gave its chief 
energy to the Greek fire. ‘ Hic (in Assyria) naphtha gignitur 
picea, specie glutinosa, similis ipsa quoque bitumini et cum hoc 
liquoris ardere cceperit genus, nullum invenit humana mens pra- 
ter pulverem exstinguendi commentum.” He soon afterwards 
describes the oleum Medicum as used in the same manner with 
the charge of the malleolus (he nearly repeats indeed his former 
words), and states it to be prepared by mixing common oil with 
a species of herb, and, after long digestion, thickening it yet 
more by the addition of a species of naphtha. “ Oleum usis 
communis herbé quadam infectum condiunt harum rerum periti, 
ad diuturnitatem servantes, et coalescens durant ex materia venz 
naturalis similis oleo crassiori, que species gignitur apud Persas 
quam ut diximus Naphtham vocabulo appellavere gentili.” Thus 
a composition answering in its use and effects to the Greek, or 
as it is termed by Theophanes, the Roman fire, appears to have 
been well known at least 300 years before its supposed invention 
by Callinicus. He may indeed have revived its use, or improved 
its composition.* In fact, Pliny, ata yet earlier period, describes 
the maltha nearly in the same manner, and as employed for the 
* Tt may be observed that the Malleolus is mentioned by Livy and other writers 
anterior to the age of A. Marcellinus (V. Forcellini Lex. in voce) ; but as they appear 
to be silent with respect to the composition ofits charge, I forbear to quote them, 
