HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

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of it. It was invented, as already related, by Callinicus, a Syrian *, and theinjuries or discomfiture effected by it against the Saracen fleet, are most con-fidently reported to have been of the most serious and destructive nature.Wearied by losses, and despairing of future success, the assailants at lengthraised the siege, but their misfortunes ended not with the abandonment of theirenterprize : for their fleet, on its return to port, being overtaken by a tempestoff the Sicilian coast, was in great measure destroyed.

From this time, the Constantinopolitan empire appears to have enjoyed atleast a naval quietude from the Saracens, till the seventh century had drawnnearly to a close. After an invasion of Africa, rendered successful by thetreachery of Sergius, the general who commanded the imperial troops, and asubsequent expulsion from their conquest by means of the gallantry of thesuccessor to that traitor, the Saracens had once more recourse to the equip-ment of a fleet. It rendered the most material service to their very despe-rate cause, for having obliged the Roman chief to retreat, in the best mannerhe could, to the sea coast, he was, with the greatest difficulty, able to reimbarkhis troops, and effect his retreat by sea to Constantinople.

The contest was continued with the utmost energy and fury on both sides,but was, for a few years after the event last mentioned, confined totally to mili-tary operations. Not long, however, subsequent to the commencement of theeighth century, Justinian the Second, who after having been driven from theimperial throne, and compelled to live in obscurity for some years, had beenrestored to his dignity by the exertions and friendship of Trebelis, king of Bul-garia, totally unmindful of the service and assistance which had been ren-dered him, made war on that prince, and equipped the most powerful arma-ment the empire was capable of furnishing. The operations of his army,which burst at once like a torrent into Thrace, were completely unsuccessful :his troops were defeated, and he himself obliged to make his escape to Constan-tinople on board a light vessel. The fury of his navy was destined to fall ona different quarter ; but no other information is given concerning it, except

use of the Greek, or, as it might now be called, of the Saracen fire, was continued to the middle of thefourteenth century, when the scientific or casual compound of nitre, sulphur, and charcoal, effected anew revc lution in the art of war, and the history of mankind.”

* See p. 136.

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