Roman Soldiers at Dura Europos Identified as Earliest Chemical Warfare Victims. 20 Roman soldiers killed by chemical weapon in tunnel warfare Persian forces used sulfur and bitumen set on fire, turning tunnel air into poison Bodies found stacked 3-4 high blocking tunnel entrance
Roman soldiers at Dura Europos in Syria were killed by chemical warfare when Persian forces set sulfur and bitumen ablaze inside tunnels, turning the air to poison. Nineteen bodies were found stacked 3-4 high blocking the tunnel entrance. French archaeologists discovered them in the 1930s but assumed they died in combat. It took until 2009 for archaeologist Simon James to confirm these men as the earliest documented chemical warfare casualties in history. The site remained untouched for 1,700 years.
Key Facts
- 20 Roman soldiers killed by chemical weapon in tunnel warfare
- Persian forces used sulfur and bitumen set on fire, turning tunnel air into poison
- Bodies found stacked 3-4 high blocking tunnel entrance
- French archaeologist discovered bodies in 1930s, assumed combat deaths
- Archaeologist Simon James confirmed in 2009 these are earliest chemical warfare victims
- Site remained untouched for 1700 years after Dura Europos fell
Related site: Temple of Zeus Theos, Dura Europos — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: 5 Ancient Tunnels That Were Never Meant to Be Found by Dark5 Ancient Mysteries