About Callinicus of Heliopolis
Lived 600 – 700. Callinicus of Heliopolis was a Byzantine architect, general contractor, inventor and alchemist.
Callinicus of Heliopolis ( 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.
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.
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Important facts
Related people
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Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Callinicus of Heliopolis's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Callinicus of Heliopolis?
Byzantine architect, builder, inventor, and alchemist active in the 6th and 7th centuries
When was Callinicus of Heliopolis born?
Callinicus of Heliopolis was born in 600 in Baalbek.
When did Callinicus of Heliopolis die?
Callinicus of Heliopolis died in 700.
What was Callinicus of Heliopolis's occupation?
Callinicus of Heliopolis was an architect, general contractor, inventor and alchemist.
What nationality was Callinicus of Heliopolis?
Callinicus of Heliopolis was Byzantine.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Callinicus of Heliopolis
· DBpedia: Callinicus of Heliopolis
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Callinicus of Heliopolis. https://biography.guide/callinicus-of-heliopolis/
MLA: "Callinicus of Heliopolis." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/callinicus-of-heliopolis/.
Chicago: "Callinicus of Heliopolis." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/callinicus-of-heliopolis/.
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