Kallinikos or Latinized Callinicus ( fl. 650 AD) was a Jewish-Byzantine architect and chemist from Heliopolis of Syria (modern day Baalbek, Lebanon). He is credited with the invention of Greek fire, a naval weapon somewhat resembling the modern flamethrower. According to Constantine Porphyrogenitus, Callinicus was a refugee from Heliopolis of Syria who arrived in Byzantium in the time of Constantine IV and shared his knowledge of liquid fire with the Byzantines.Paul J. Alexander, "The Strength of Empire and Capital as Seen through Byzantine Eyes," Speculum 37.3 (1962) 347. Callinicus’ exact formula was a carefully guarded secret, and remains unknown today. Possible ingredients include resin, asphalt, sulfur, naphtha, fine quicklime, and calcium phosphide.
