Yrys
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Ancient Persians 'gassed Romans'
Ancient Persians were the first to use chemical warfare against
their enemies, a study has suggested.
A UK researcher said he found evidence that the Persian Empire
used poisonous gases on the Roman city of Dura, Eastern Syria,
in the 3rd Century AD. The theory is based on the discovery of
remains of about 20 Roman soldiers found at the base of the city
wall.
Remains in the city wall suggest toxic
gases were used in a siege on the city
The findings were presented the Archaeological Institute of America's
annual meeting. The study shows that the Persians dug a mine
underneath the wall in order to enter the city.
They also ignited bitumen and sulphur crystals to produce dense
poisonous gases, suggested Simon James, an archaeologist at
the University of Leicester. He added that underground bellows
or chimneys probably helped generate and distribute the deadly
fumes.
The Romans apparently responded with counter-mines in an effort
to thwart the siege. "For the Persians to kill 20 men in a space less
than 2m high or wide, and about 11m long, required superhuman
combat powers - or something more insidious," said Dr James.
"The Roman assault party was unconscious in seconds, dead in minutes."
Excavations showed that the soldiers' bodies were stacked near
the counter-mine entrance by the attackers to create a protective
barricade before setting the tunnel on fire. "It is clear from the
archaeological evidence at Dura that the Sasanian Persians were
as knowledgeable in siege warfare as the Romans," said Dr James.
"They surely knew of this grim tactic."
Evidence also shows that the Persians dug their mine with the
intention of collapsing the city wall and adjacent tower. Although
the mine failed to destroy the structures, the attackers eventually
conquered the city.
However, how they broke into the city still remains a mystery
because details of the siege cannot be found in surviving historical
records. Dura was later abandoned, and its inhabitants were
slaughtered or deported to Persia.
In 1920, the well-preserved ruins were unearthed by Indian
troops trying to dig defensive trenches along the buried city wall.
The structures were excavated in a series of campaigns in the
1920s and 1930s by French and American researchers.
In recent years, they have been extensively re-examined using
modern technology. Dr James and a colleague are currently
investigating records and objects collected about 80 years ago.
Ancient Persians were the first to use chemical warfare against
their enemies, a study has suggested.
A UK researcher said he found evidence that the Persian Empire
used poisonous gases on the Roman city of Dura, Eastern Syria,
in the 3rd Century AD. The theory is based on the discovery of
remains of about 20 Roman soldiers found at the base of the city
wall.
Remains in the city wall suggest toxic
gases were used in a siege on the city
The findings were presented the Archaeological Institute of America's
annual meeting. The study shows that the Persians dug a mine
underneath the wall in order to enter the city.
They also ignited bitumen and sulphur crystals to produce dense
poisonous gases, suggested Simon James, an archaeologist at
the University of Leicester. He added that underground bellows
or chimneys probably helped generate and distribute the deadly
fumes.
The Romans apparently responded with counter-mines in an effort
to thwart the siege. "For the Persians to kill 20 men in a space less
than 2m high or wide, and about 11m long, required superhuman
combat powers - or something more insidious," said Dr James.
"The Roman assault party was unconscious in seconds, dead in minutes."
Excavations showed that the soldiers' bodies were stacked near
the counter-mine entrance by the attackers to create a protective
barricade before setting the tunnel on fire. "It is clear from the
archaeological evidence at Dura that the Sasanian Persians were
as knowledgeable in siege warfare as the Romans," said Dr James.
"They surely knew of this grim tactic."
Evidence also shows that the Persians dug their mine with the
intention of collapsing the city wall and adjacent tower. Although
the mine failed to destroy the structures, the attackers eventually
conquered the city.
However, how they broke into the city still remains a mystery
because details of the siege cannot be found in surviving historical
records. Dura was later abandoned, and its inhabitants were
slaughtered or deported to Persia.
In 1920, the well-preserved ruins were unearthed by Indian
troops trying to dig defensive trenches along the buried city wall.
The structures were excavated in a series of campaigns in the
1920s and 1930s by French and American researchers.
In recent years, they have been extensively re-examined using
modern technology. Dr James and a colleague are currently
investigating records and objects collected about 80 years ago.
