yes, i’m still reading gibbon’s decline and fall. (will it never end?)
current curiosity = greek fire.
i love the name, it should surely be in common use as a phrase that denotes something mysterious and effective.
over several hundred years (7th century to 13th century and counting, i’m not finished yet, remember) the good citizens of constantinople used it to defeat everybody that deigned to attack the capital of the east. used normally in sea battles it was spread by water and couldn’t be put out.
and to this day it remains a mystery . . .
speculation is that it could be petroleum, or calcium phosphide, but no one knows for sure.
wikipedia is good on the subject.
Also great name for a international metal band, or a sports franchise.
Comment by Rob Smith — May 26, 2006 @ 12:00 am