Which city defended against Arab sieges using the Byzantine incendiary weapon known as Greek Fire?

• A. Antioch
• B. Jerusalem
• C. Alexandria
• D. Constantinople

Answer: (D)

Greek Fire was a Byzantine incendiary weapon that could be projected onto enemy ships and into fortifications, burning fiercely even on water and being notoriously hard to extinguish. This weapon became a crucial tool for defending key coastal cities and harbors. Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, faced several Arab sieges during the 7th and 8th centuries, and the use of Greek Fire by its defenders played a pivotal role in repelling those attacks. The fiery assaults from Byzantine ships and pyrotechnic elites helped break the momentum of Arab forces during major sieges, contributing to the city’s survival. While other cities like Antioch, Jerusalem, and Alexandria endured sieges as well, the strongest historical association of Greek Fire is with Constantinople’s defense.