Until the advent of materialism and 19th c. dogma, Western Civilisation was superior to anything Islam had developed. Islam has not aided in the development of the modern world; in fact civilisation has only been created in spite of Islam. Proof of this resides in the 'modern' world and the unending political-economic and spiritual poverty of Muslim states and regions. Squatting on richer civilisations is not 'progress'. Islam is pagan, totalitarian, and irrational.
One of the great military and medieval inventions was Greek fire. It remains a mystery.
Greek fire was a Byzantine incendiary weapon used from the 7th century onward.1 Greek fire saved Constantinople from Muslim navies many times from the 7th to 12th centuries. This complex technology was crucial in the Byzantine Empire's military successes, particularly in naval battles, where it was deployed to devastating effect against Mahometan ships.2
Key Features and History
Naval Weapon:
Greek fire was most famously used in naval warfare. It was projected from siphon-like tubes mounted on Byzantine warships, allowing them to spray a flammable liquid onto enemy vessels.
This weapon proved particularly effective in defending Constantinople against Arab sieges, notably in the 7th and 8th centuries.
Composition:
The exact composition of Greek fire remains a mystery, and this is why it cannot be replicated today.
Historical accounts suggest it contained a mixture of flammable substances, likely including:
Resin (from pine trees)
Sulfur
Quicklime
Possibly petroleum or naphtha
It is believed that the mixture ignited upon contact with water, making it especially dangerous at sea.
The use of Quicklime would explain the increase of heat when water was added.
Secrecy:
The Byzantines guarded the secret of Greek fire's composition very closely.
The formula was known only to a select few, and it was considered a state secret of the highest importance.
This secrecy contributed to the weapon's mystique and its effectiveness as a psychological deterrent.
Decline:
As the Byzantine Empire declined, the knowledge of Greek fire's composition was eventually lost.
By the later Middle Ages, the weapon was no longer in use.
Modern Attempts at Replication:
Despite numerous attempts by historians and scientists to recreate Greek fire, no one has been able to produce a mixture with the same properties as the original.
While various flammable mixtures have been created, none have matched the reported characteristics of Byzantine Greek fire, particularly its ability to burn on water and its intense heat.
The loss of the exact ratios of the ingredients, and perhaps even some of the ingredients themselves, is the reason it is impossible to recreate.
Sources:
1Wikipedia: Greek Fire: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_fire
2Britannica: Greek Fire: https://www.britannica.com/technology/Greek-fire
Adrienne Mayor Greek Fire, Poison Arrows & Scorpion Bombs: Biological and Chemical Warfare in the Ancient World, 2003
A short and certainly not an exhaustive list of Inventions and Technological Advancements during the medieval era (roughly 500 AD to 1500 AD, though the ‘Renaissance’ itself a Christian-medieval phenomenon, instigated by Byzantium’s decline and the Turkish Jihad, is sometimes and incorrectly considered a separate era from 1400-1550.
Inventions and Technological Advancements (Chronological Order)
Algebra (3rd Century): A powerful mathematical system using symbols to represent numbers and operations was developed (Dionysius, Greeks and Christians in Alexandria, has nothing to do with Muslims)
Bookbinding with Vellum (5th Century): Animal skins were treated to create a durable and smooth writing surface for books and manuscripts.
Astrolabe (Byzantine) (5th Century): This intricate instrument was used by sailors and astronomers to determine latitude and time.
Church Schools (7th Century): Formal institutions of learning were established by the Church to educate clergy and preserve knowledge.
Horse Collar (8th Century): This improved harness allowed horses to pull heavier loads more efficiently, revolutionizing agriculture and transportation.
Stirrup (8th Century): This simple invention provided riders with greater stability and control on horseback, transforming warfare and travel.
Mounted Knight (8th Century): Combining the stirrup and horse collar, the heavily armored mounted knight became a dominant force on the battlefield.
Watermills (Early Medieval): Harnessing the power of water, these mills were used to grind grain, power machinery, and perform other tasks.
3-Field Rotation Farming (Early Medieval, widespread by 9th century): This agricultural technique increased crop yields and improved soil fertility by rotating crops across three fields.
Improved Livestock Breeding (Throughout the period, with significant advancements by the High Middle Ages): Selective breeding practices led to larger, healthier, and more productive livestock.
Clearing of Marshes and Woodlands (Throughout the period, with regional variations): Land was cleared for agriculture and settlement, expanding the areas suitable for human use.
University (12th Century): Centers of higher learning emerged, offering formal education in a variety of subjects and fostering intellectual exchange.
Windmills (12th Century): These structures harnessed wind power to grind grain, pump water, and perform other tasks, particularly in areas with limited water resources.
Flying Buttresses (12th Century, Gothic architecture): These external supports allowed for taller, thinner walls and larger windows in Gothic cathedrals.
Pointed Arches (12th Century, Gothic architecture): This architectural element distributed weight more effectively, allowing for higher ceilings and more open spaces in Gothic buildings.
Stained Glass (Primarily 12th-13th Century, Gothic period): Vibrant colored glass windows were used to illuminate and decorate Gothic cathedrals, depicting religious scenes and stories.
Physics (at Chartres) (13th Century): The study of motion, forces, and energy advanced at the Cathedral School of Chartres, laying the groundwork for later scientific breakthroughs.
Euclid's Elements (translations) (13th Century): This foundational text on geometry was translated into Latin, making its knowledge accessible to European scholars.
Reclaiming the Sea using Windmills (Holland) (13th Century onwards): Windmills were used to pump water and drain land in the Netherlands, creating new agricultural areas and settlements.
Eyeglasses (13th Century): This invention improved vision and quality of life for many, particularly those with age-related vision decline.
Advances in Optics (13th/14th Century onwards): The study of light and vision progressed, leading to improved lenses and optical instruments.
Mechanical clocks (14th Century onwards): Priest Richard of Wallingford in St. Albans built the first mechanical clock in the world.
Shipbuilding Improvements (Throughout the period, with advancements in various centuries): Innovations in ship design and construction led to larger, more seaworthy vessels, enabling longer voyages and increased trade.
Sails and Rigging Improvements (Throughout the period, with advancements in various centuries): More efficient sails and rigging systems improved ship maneuverability and speed.
Blast Furnaces (14th/15th Century): These furnaces produced higher temperatures, enabling the production of stronger and more versatile iron.
Printing Press (1440): Johannes Gutenberg's invention revolutionized communication and knowledge dissemination by enabling the mass production of books.
Astronomical Observatories (16th Century): Dedicated facilities for astronomical observation were established, leading to more accurate measurements and a better understanding of the universe.
Improved Steel (Throughout the period, with advancements in various centuries): Techniques for producing stronger and more durable steel were developed, improving tools, weapons, and construction materials.
Improvements in Medicine (Throughout the period, with advancements in various centuries, eg. The use of willow bark was a development that was used throughout the entire period): Medical knowledge and practices advanced, including the use of herbal remedies, surgical techniques, and the study of anatomy.
We can also add the Jesuits and their great contributions to maths and science.
An incomplete and short list of notable Medieval personalities, inventors, philosophers, scientists, creators and society-changers.
These individuals explored the natural world, pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge.
Gerbert of Aurillac (Pope Sylvester II) (c. 946–1003): A scholar and pope who introduced Arabic numerals and mathematical knowledge to Europe.
Leonardo of Pisa (Fibonacci) (c. 1170–1250): An Italian mathematician who popularized the Hindu-Arabic numeral system and introduced the Fibonacci sequence.
Johannes de Sacrobosco (c. 1195–1256): A scholar who wrote influential works on astronomy and mathematics.
Robert Grosseteste (c. 1175–1253): A bishop and scholar who emphasized the importance of observation and experimentation in science.
Roger Bacon (c. 1214–1294): A Franciscan friar and scientist who advocated for the importance of empirical methods.
Jean Buridan (c. 1300–1358): A philosopher and scientist who developed the concept of impetus, a precursor to the modern concept of inertia.
Nicole Oresme (c. 1320–1382): A bishop and scholar who made contributions to mathematics, physics, and economics.
Members of the Oxford Merton School (14th-century scholars): A group of scholars at Merton College, Oxford, who made significant contributions to mechanics and mathematics.
Galileo Galilei (1564–1642): An Italian astronomer and physicist who made groundbreaking observations with his telescope and supported the heliocentric model of the universe.
Johannes Kepler (1571–1630): A German astronomer who discovered the laws of planetary motion.
Isaac Newton (1643–1727): An English physicist and mathematician who developed the laws of motion and universal gravitation.
These artists and architects created works of enduring beauty and innovation.
Those involved in the Cathedral School of Chartres: Masters and builders who contributed to the construction and design of Chartres Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
Byzantine mosaicists and icon painters: Anonymous artists who created the stunning mosaics and icons that decorate Byzantine churches.
Cimabue (c. 1240–1302): An Italian painter who bridged the gap between Byzantine and early Renaissance styles.
Giotto di Bondone (c. 1267–1337): An Italian painter and architect who revolutionized painting with his naturalistic style.
James of St. George (Late 13th Century): A master mason and architect who designed several castles in Wales for Edward I.
Caravaggio (1571–1610): An Italian painter known for his dramatic use of light and shadow (tenebrism).
Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640): A Flemish painter known for his dynamic Baroque style and grand historical and mythological scenes.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598–1680): An Italian sculptor and architect who was a leading figure in the Baroque movement.
Diego Velázquez (1599–1660): A Spanish painter known for his masterful portraits and realistic depictions of court life.
Artemisia Gentileschi (1593–c. 1656): An Italian Baroque painter known for her powerful depictions of women from history and mythology.
These figures played crucial roles in the development and preservation of Byzantine Christianity.
John Chrysostom (c. 349–407): Archbishop of Constantinople known for his eloquent sermons and his defense of the poor.
Justinian I (482–565): Byzantine emperor who codified Roman law and oversaw the construction of the Hagia Sophia.
Theodora (c. 500–548): Byzantine empress, wife of Justinian I, known for her influence and her support of women's rights.
Procopius (c. 500–562): A Byzantine historian who wrote about the reign of Justinian I.
John of Damascus (c. 675–749): A monk and theologian who defended the use of icons during the iconoclastic controversy.
Photios I of Constantinople (c. 810–893): Patriarch of Constantinople who played a key role in the Photian Schism.
Michael Psellos (1018–c. 1078): A Byzantine philosopher, historian, and writer.
Anna Comnena (1083–1153): A Byzantine princess and historian who wrote the Alexiad, a history of her father's reign.
Gregory Palamas (c. 1296–1359): A monk and theologian known for his defense of hesychasm, a mystical tradition of prayer.
These intrepid explorers ventured into the unknown, expanding geographical knowledge and establishing new trade routes.
Vikings (9th Century): Scandinavian seafarers who explored and raided across Europe and the North Atlantic.
Bartholomew Diaz (c. 1450–1500): A Portuguese explorer who was the first European to round the southern tip of Africa.
Christopher Columbus (1451–1506): An Italian explorer who sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492, reaching the Americas.
Vasco da Gama (c. 1460 or 1469–1524): A Portuguese explorer who discovered the sea route to India.
John Cabot (c. 1450–1499): An Italian explorer who explored the coast of North America for England.
Ferdinand Magellan (c. 1480–1521): A Portuguese explorer who led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe.
Jacques Cartier (1491–1557): A French explorer who explored the St. Lawrence River and laid claim to Canada for France.
Martin Frobisher (c. 1535–1594): An English explorer who searched for the Northwest Passage.
Francis Drake (c. 1540–1596): An English explorer and privateer who circumnavigated the globe and challenged Spanish dominance at sea.
Henry Hudson (c. 1565–1611): An English explorer who explored parts of North America, including the Hudson River and Hudson Bay.
Samuel de Champlain (c. 1567–1635): A French explorer who founded Quebec City and explored the Great Lakes region.