Callinicus of Heliopolis

Callinicus of Heliopolis (Medieval Greek: Καλλίνικος fl.

620 AD)[1] was Byzantine architect[2][3][4] and alchemist of Jewish[5][6][7] or Egyptian origin.

[8] He is credited with the invention of Greek fire, the premodern precedent of the flamethrower.

[9][10] Callinicus’ exact formula was a carefully guarded secret, and remains unknown today.

Possible ingredients include resin, asphalt, sulfur, naphtha, fine quicklime, and calcium phosphide.