Biological Warfare Plan in the 17th Century—the Siege of Candia, 1648–1669

Abstract

This incident illustrates how, within a framework of religious fanaticism, the use of biological weapons could appear to be acceptable.

Biological Warfare in the 17th Century

“…To the Editor: In an article that reviews evidence of a plot to use plague to break the siege of Candia during the Venetian–Ottoman War of the 17th century, Dr. Thalassinou and her colleagues ( 1 ) identify an incident previously unknown to historians of biological warfare. However, the authors’ effort to broaden the context for biological weaponry is undermined by a reference to an often repeated allegation for which no credible evidence exists: namely, that during a siege occurring in the Swedish–Russian War of 1710, the Russians catapulted bodies of plague victims into the Swedish-held city of Reval.…”