Recent archeological discovery suggests that chemical weapons were already used over 2'000 years ago - in a war between Persian and Roman empires.
Archeologist Simon James, PhD who specialises in Iron Age andRoman period archeology, together with his group has made this discovery while working in the ruins of Dura-Europos city. Dura-Europos (or Fort-Europos) once was a Hellenistic, Persian and Roman border city. Its unique location means that it has been influenced by three different cultures. After the city has been abandoned nearly 1900 years ago, nothing has been built on top of the remains, which means all items are very well preserved.
The city has been left untouched until it's discovery in 1920's. Archeologists have found wide variety of remarkable items such as temples, decorations, inscriptions, tombs, military equipment. Presence of one of the first catholic churches, a synagogue and many temples dedicated to various Greek and Roman gods shows how different cultures co-existed in the city.
Archeologists found numerous tunnels that were used by both attackers (Persian army) and defenders (Roman army) of the city during the siege in 256 A.D. Persian army tried to get through the defence walls or maybe even blast through them, but the Romans were digging tunnels in attempt to attack the Persian army before they've entered the city. Most of the battles were fought in these tunnels and tombs.
In 1930's an interesting discovery has been made. Scientists found bodies of 20 Roman soldiers that had no visible injuries. It was not clear what was the cause of death and it was a mystery until now. Simon James restarted this case once again after 80 years.
Archeologist suggests that when the both tunnels met together, Romans lost the battle and Persians used their bodies and weapons to build a barricade. This explains why all bodies were found in one place, but does not explain the cause of death as none of the soldiers had injuries that could have caused their death. It looked like they all have been strangled, which is impossible to do to a group of 20 soldiers in a tunnel. So the must have been something else than brutal force that killed them.
Simon James explains how some of the evidence may prove that Persians have used what could be called the first chemical warfare. Archeologist suggests that Persians used bitumen and sulphur crystals to create poisonous gas, that killed Roman soldiers. Mixture of these two elements when burning produces thick poisonous smoke. When inhaled Romans lost consciousness and later died.
When persians heard that Romans are digging their tunnel towards them, they prepared the mixture and as soon as Romans entered the tunnel, they set it alight.
This technique already been described in some works of early military writers. This evidence proves the fact that chemical weaponry was actually used in practice.
Persian army did not manage to break the defence walls, but the city was captured and those who weren't killed abandoned it. Most of the survivors were captured and put into slavery.
