Weapons Made for God: 5 Unexplained Ancient Weapons from the Crusades

In 1189, during the tumultuous period of the Third Crusade, Conrad of Montferrat led his naval forces into the waters near the coastal city of Acre, aiming to reinforce the siege against the city. Upon his arrival, Conrad encountered a formidable defense: the Tower of Flies.

This tower, looming ominously over the harbor like a stone sentinel, was more than just an architectural marvel. It anchored a massive chain that stretched across the harbor, creating an insurmountable barrier for any naval force daring to breach it.

Conrad, determined to land his forces on the island where the tower stood, launched multiple attempts to bypass this daunting obstacle. However, his efforts were repeatedly thwarted by nature's wrath: fierce winds, treacherous waves, and unforgiving rocks, ultimately compelling him to concede defeat.

The origin of the tower and its macabre name remain shrouded in mystery and myth. The tower was already an ancient structure when the Crusaders arrived during the First Crusade, likely built by the Phoenicians between the 6th and 4th centuries BC.

Those first Crusaders believed it was the site of sacrifices offered to the god Beelzebub, known as the “lord of the flies,” which would attract clouds of literal flies. Another theory suggests a more mundane origin, speculating that the tower served as a dumping ground for refuse.

Regardless of its name's origin, the Tower of Flies instilled dread in the hearts of sailors and soldiers alike.

The harbor chain, known as a boom, represented a naval commander's worst nightmare. Ships attempting to attack Acre found themselves trapped by the chain, becoming easy targets for arrows, artillery, and other projectiles launched from the tower's high vantage point.

Ironically, the Tower of Flies, which now thwarted the Crusaders, was a creation of their own making. When European forces initially captured Acre during the First Crusade, they rebuilt the tower and installed the chain as a defensive measure.

A century later, after Saladin's forces retook the city, these very defenses turned against their original builders, contributing to the tower's ominous reputation...