Pure beta-Si3N4 nanorods with of 30-60nm and length of 180-300nm were synthesized from a mild benzene-thermal route at 450 degreesC, starting from SiCl4 and the synergic nitrogen sources of NaNH2 and NH4Cl. The obtained sample was characterized by XRD, TEM and XPS. The one-dimensional growth mechanism is assumed to be a vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) process.