The ancients had ways that were just as effective today as they were then. Plus they were simple to make.
I saw this on History Channel's "Ancient Discoveries" yesterday.
Just look at what happens when you burn feathers with charcoal and a little sulfur. Nasty shit for something you can whip up from the BBQ pit and a pillow.
The content of the smoke was high in ammonia, sulfur dioxide & nitrogen dioxide. The guy that did the analysis said that the ammonia content was so high that it would kill you with in 10 seconds of breathing.
Not to mention that the amount of smoke produced was comparable to a mil smoke grenade.
All kinds of nice info in the below link.
Bio & Chem Warfare in Ancient Times
Smoke Them Romans Out (187 BC) - The inhabitants of the town of Ambracia in Epirus dealt a setback to Roman soldiers seeking to tunnel under their walls: "Filling a huge jar with feathers, they put fire in it and attached a bronze cover perforated with numerous holes. After carrying the jar into the mine and turning its mouth toward the enemy, they inserted a bellows in the bottom, and by pumping the bellows vigorously they caused a tremendous amount of disagreeable smoke, such as feathers would naturally create, to pour forth, so that none of the Romans could endure it. As a result the Romans, despairing of success, made a truce and raised the siege." (Cassius Dio, Roman History, Book XIX)transcript of episode
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