• PugJesus@piefed.socialOPM
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    23
    ·
    2 days ago

    Explanation: It’s sometimes considered that the first definite use of hand grenades comes from the Byzantine Empire, using ‘Greek Fire’ in small clay jars as dedicated throwing weapons for specialist infantry. While incendiaries were known before this point, Greek Fire was potent enough that even a small amount that could be thrown by hand was… capable of wreaking havoc. Especially for naval infantry targeting wooden ships, as water was largely ineffective against Greek Fire.

    Previous incendiaries are generally accepted to have been thrown by catapults and other such siege weapons, rather than by hand.

    • Gork@sopuli.xyz
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      7
      ·
      2 days ago

      Wouldn’t this be closer related to the Molotov Cocktail rather than a high explosive hand grenade, aside from the form factor?

      More flames and less boom.