[16] To these Casoni adds Sifoni for discharging Greek fire; but this he
seems to take from the Greek treatise of the Emperor Leo. Though I
have introduced Greek fire in the cut at p. 49, I doubt if there is
evidence of its use by the Italians in the thirteenth century.
Joinville describes it like something strange and new.
In after days the artillery occupied the same position, at the bow of
the galley.
Great beams, hung like battering rams, are mentioned by Sanudo, as
well as iron crow's-feet with fire attached, to shoot among the
rigging, and jars of quick-lime and soft soap to fling in the eyes of
the enemy. The lime is said to have been used by Doria against the
Venetians at Curzola (infra, p. 48), and seems to have been a usual
provision. Francesco Barberini specifies among the stores for his
galley: "Calcina, con lancioni, Pece, pietre, e ronconi" (p. 259.)
And Christine de Pisan, in her Faiz du Sage Roy Charles (V. of
France), explains also the use of the soap: "Item, on doit avoir
pluseurs vaisseaulx legiers a rompre, comme poz plains de chauls ou
pouldre, et gecter dedens; et, par ce, seront comme avuglez, au
brisier des poz. Item, on doit avoir autres poz de mol savon et
gecter es nefzs des adversaires, et quant les vaisseaulx brisent, le
savon est glissant, si ne se peuent en piez soustenir et chieent en
l'eaue" (pt.
![The Travels Of Marco Polo - Volume 1 Of 2 By Marco Polo And Rustichello Of Pisa
- Of the
battle represented I can find no record.
[15] Engraved in Jal, i. 330; with other mediaeval illustrations of - Page 210](../images/travel.jpg)
