Chapter XI · Chapter 11

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

having fair knowledge of

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

a quantity of money

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading The army was now moving through the passes of the Pyrenees.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Opinions have differed as to the explosives used by the Carthaginian miners, but it is certain that they possessed means of blasting rocks.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

achieved or reached

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

cases used to carry belongings when traveling

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

a structure or object that impedes free movement

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

expletives used informally as intensifiers

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

causing injury or blight; especially affecting with sudden violence or plague or ruin

From this reading Opinions have differed as to the explosives used by the Carthaginian miners, but it is certain that they possessed means of blasting rocks.

past form of “bridge” — connect or reduce the distance between

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

To consume or be consumed by fire.

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Opinions have differed as to the explosives used by the Carthaginian miners, but it is certain that they possessed means of blasting rocks.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Opinions have differed as to the explosives used by the Carthaginian miners, but it is certain that they possessed means of blasting rocks.

a race between candidates for elective office

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

a native or inhabitant of ancient Carthage

From this reading Opinions have differed as to the explosives used by the Carthaginian miners, but it is certain that they possessed means of blasting rocks.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Opinions have differed as to the explosives used by the Carthaginian miners, but it is certain that they possessed means of blasting rocks.

the science of matter; the branch of the natural sciences dealing with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

a whole formed by a union of two or more elements or parts

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

placed crosswise

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

past form of “differ” — be different

From this reading Opinions have differed as to the explosives used by the Carthaginian miners, but it is certain that they possessed means of blasting rocks.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

plural of “elephant” — five-toed pachyderm

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

plural of “engineer” — a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

at any time

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

a quantity much larger than is needed

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

plural of “explosive” — a chemical substance that undergoes a rapid chemical change (with the production of gas) on being heated or struck

From this reading Opinions have differed as to the explosives used by the Carthaginian miners, but it is certain that they possessed means of blasting rocks.

start firing a weapon

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

many times at short intervals

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

the Hellenic branch of the Indo-European family of languages

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

a mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur in a 75:15:10 ratio which is used in gunnery, time fuses, and fireworks

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Opinions have differed as to the explosives used by the Carthaginian miners, but it is certain that they possessed means of blasting rocks.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

cause to arise

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Opinions have differed as to the explosives used by the Carthaginian miners, but it is certain that they possessed means of blasting rocks.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Opinions have differed as to the explosives used by the Carthaginian miners, but it is certain that they possessed means of blasting rocks.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

the act of making something (a product) from raw materials

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading Opinions have differed as to the explosives used by the Carthaginian miners, but it is certain that they possessed means of blasting rocks.

plural of “miner” — laborer who works in a mine

From this reading Opinions have differed as to the explosives used by the Carthaginian miners, but it is certain that they possessed means of blasting rocks.

(chemistry) a substance consisting of two or more substances mixed together (not in fixed proportions and not with chemical bonding)

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

in motion

From this reading The army was now moving through the passes of the Pyrenees.

(KNO3) used especially as a fertilizer and explosive

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

not any; not one

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The army was now moving through the passes of the Pyrenees.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The army was now moving through the passes of the Pyrenees.

plural of “opinion” — a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty

From this reading Opinions have differed as to the explosives used by the Carthaginian miners, but it is certain that they possessed means of blasting rocks.

denoting or characteristic of countries of the Far East

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

plural of “pass” — (baseball) an advance to first base by a batter who receives four balls

From this reading The army was now moving through the passes of the Pyrenees.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading Opinions have differed as to the explosives used by the Carthaginian miners, but it is certain that they possessed means of blasting rocks.

plural of “promise” — a verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

a chain of mountains between France and Spain

From this reading The army was now moving through the passes of the Pyrenees.

-ing form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

plural of “reward” — a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

a partly sheltered anchorage

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

a New Testament book containing an exposition of the doctrines of Saint Paul; written in AD 58

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

a particular branch of scientific knowledge

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

having or showing or requiring special skill

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

plural of “stream” — a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

treat with sulphur in order to preserve

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

carry out

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Opinions have differed as to the explosives used by the Carthaginian miners, but it is certain that they possessed means of blasting rocks.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The army was now moving through the passes of the Pyrenees.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Opinions have differed as to the explosives used by the Carthaginian miners, but it is certain that they possessed means of blasting rocks.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The army was now moving through the passes of the Pyrenees.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading Opinions have differed as to the explosives used by the Carthaginian miners, but it is certain that they possessed means of blasting rocks.

plural of “use” — the act of using

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

to an exceedingly great extent or degree

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

plural of “wagon” — any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor

From this reading The labour was great; no army had ever before crossed this mountain barrier; roads had to be made, streams bridged, and rocks blasted away, to allow the passage of the elephants and baggage wagons.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The army was now moving through the passes of the Pyrenees.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The engineers of Hannibal's force possessed an amount of knowledge and science vastly in excess of that attained by the Romans at that time, and during the campaign the latter frequently endeavoured, and sometimes with success, by promises of high rewards, to induce Hannibal's engineers to desert and take service with them.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading A people well acquainted with the uses of sulphur and niter, skilled in the Oriental science of chemistry, capable of manufacturing Greek fire--a compound which would burn under water--may well have been acquainted with some mixture resembling gunpowder.