The Bizarre Use of Animals As Weapons

Monkey bombs, cat grenades and flaming pigs in ancient warfare

Netflix’s Marco Polo is a rare historical series that I enjoyed. At the start of its second season, a vivid scene shows Chinggis Khan teaching his grandsons Khubilai (Kublai) and Kaidu a military lesson. The Mongols had besieged a fortified city. We see Chinggis in battle armor, carrying a cute tiny swallow.

“Nested birds and well-fed dogs always return to their master,” says the great conqueror. He then ties the bird to a ball of wool, lights it, and asks Kaidu to release it. The unfortunate bird lets out a shriek before flying away. The Mongol army sets 10,000 swallows on fire and releases them. Their deafening cries of pain filled the night sky as the creatures rushed towards the city.

The city burns.

This was a breathtaking scene! It was cruel but brilliant. During the siege, the Great Khan sacrificed birds to reduce his casualties.

Surprisingly, the city set on fire provided him with the birds!

Animals have long been used to carry equipment, sniff mines, and act as cavalry. However, t…