espanolCuando escuchamos la expresion "guerra biologica o bacteriologica" pensamos en un tipo de ofensiva en la que se utilizan armas que contienen virus o bacterias capaces de infligir un dano masivo sobre el ejercito o la poblacion civil y que su invencion es algo mas o menos reciente Sin embargo, los griegos de la antiguedad ya conocian los efectos de determinados venenos y sustancias, ya fuesen de origen vegetal o animal, producian en el cuerpo humano. Utilizarlos en el terreno militar fue cuestion de tiempo. En contra de lo que se podria pensar, construir armas quimicas y biologicas no era algo muy complicado ni exigia grandes conocimientos: la mayoria de estas armas tenian una tecnologia sencilla, lo que no les restaba eficacia. Las fuentes griegas apenas mencionan este tipo de armas que no solo fueran utilizadas por los humanos; en la esfera mitica tambien encontramos ejemplos de su empleo. Este recelo podria deberse a que se consideraban armas crueles y deshonrosas, que simbolizaban la guerra despiadada , astuta, secreta y al margen de todo precepto moral; ademas solian provocar heridas dolorosas e incurablesy, en el peor de los casos, una muerte angustiosa. En definitiva, este tipo de armas contradecian el ideal griego de guerra justa, respetuosa y sujeta a unos principios eticos aprobados por la sociedad. Sin embargo, en la Grecia Antigua, el principio del orden y justicia de la guerra, era fragil y recurrir a tretas inteligentes que sorpendieran al enemigo, en el fondo, estaba bien visto. Por lo tanto, establecer donde estaba el limite entre lo aceptable y lo reprobable era dificil de precisar y es justamente en este contexto donde se encuadrarian las armas biologicas, cuyo uso en Grecia se remotaria a fechas tempranas y a los relatos miticos. EnglishWhen we hear the expression "biological or bacteriological warfare" we think of a type of offensive with wapons containing viruses or bacteria and capable of inflicting massive damage on the army or civilian population. We also might beliveve that their invention is more or less recent. However, the ancient Greeks already knew the effects produced by certain venoms and substances in the human body, whether those substances were of plant or animal origin. Using them in the military field was a matter of time. Contrary to what is commoly believed, building chemical and biological weapons was not complicated, and it did not require great technical and scientific knowledge. Thus, most of these weapons had simple technology, which did not detract from their effectiveness. Greek sources hardly mention this type of weapon, than was used not only by humans, but there are also various examples of their use in the mythological sphere. This lack of references could be because they were considered cruel and dishonnorable weapons, symbolizing merciless, cunning, secret and inmoral warfare. Besides they often caused panful and incurable wounds and, in the worst case, an agonizing death. In short, this type of weapon contradicted the Greek ideal of a fair and respetful war, subject to series of ethical principles approved by the Greek society. However, the principle of order and fairness in warfare was fragile in Ancient Greece. Thus, resorting to clever tricks to surprise the enemy was, at heart, well regarded and, to some extent, admirable. It was, therefore, difficult to establish where the boundaries between the acceptable and the reprehensible laid. It is precisely in this context that biological weapons would be placed. The use of these weapons in Greece would date back to early times and mythical tales.