Callinicus of Heliopolis
Callinicus of Heliopolis (grc-x-medieval fl. 620 AD) was a Byzantine architect and alchemist of Jewish or Egyptian origin. He is credited with the invention of Greek fire, the premodern precedent of the flamethrower.
Callinicus of Heliopolis
Codex Skylitzes Matritensis, Bibliteca Nacional de Madrid, Vitr. 26-2, Bild-Nr. 77, f 34 v. b. (taken from Pászthory, p. 31) · Public domain
- Born
- 600 · Baalbek.
- Died
- 700
- Nationality
- Byzantine Empire
- Occupation
- architect · general contractor · inventor · alchemist
- Known for
- Greek fire
- Languages
- Ancient Greek
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
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Documentary summary
Callinicus of Heliopolis (grc-x-medieval fl. 620 AD) was a Byzantine architect and alchemist of Jewish or Egyptian origin. He is credited with the invention of Greek fire, the premodern precedent of the flamethrower.
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wikidata · Q705149 · wikipedia · Callinicus of Heliopolis
In this article
Identity
Identity
According to Constantine Porphyrogenitus, he arrived in Byzantium in the time of Constantine IV and shared his knowledge of liquid fire with the Byzantines. Callinicus’ exact formula was a carefully guarded secret, and remains unknown today. Possible ingredients include resin, asphalt, sulfur, naphtha, fine quicklime, and calcium phosphide.
Callinicus of Heliopolis is recorded with the occupation general contractor. Recorded as architect, general contractor, inventor and alchemist.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
600
Callinicus of Heliopolis born at Baalbek.
700
Callinicus of Heliopolis died.
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
Constantinople
Residences
Baalbek.
Birth place
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Callinicus of Heliopolis”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q705149: Callinicus of Heliopolis
General reference · Wikidata
Citations
References
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reference work
Secondary witnessauthority record
General reference
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 16 August 2026.
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