Northern Syria in 1138 CE was a land ravaged by war, with Crusader, Byzantine, and Muslim armies fighting both one another and themselves. Castles near Aleppo were frequently besieged and often changed hands. According to Ibn al-Athir, the population was reduced to squalor and misery, and lootings and killing were a daily occurrence in regions of constant military activity. Amid this turmoil, a strong earthquake struck on 11 October 1138 CE. Energetic aftershocks, multiple events, or a seismic swarm continued through most of October, and, according to Aleppan historian Kemal ad-Din, milder aftershocks likely persisted until June 1139 CE. Aleppo was particularly hard hit, suffering the collapse of many walls and houses, including the east and west walls of the citadel¹. Several authors report that the inhabitants of Aleppo slept outdoors for about two weeks after the 11 October shock, probably due to continued seismic danger. Multiple accounts also note that 80 or 100 shocks were experienced—presumably in Aleppo—throughout October 1138 CE. al-Atharib was said to be heavily damaged; Kemal ad-Din records that 600 men perished when its citadel collapsed. Other localities reported as damaged include Jazira, Cilicia, Bizaʿah, Harim, Zerdana, Shiah, Tell-ʿAmar, Tell Khalid (Trihalet), and Azrab—a village situated on the confines of the mountain of Quros or Cyrus (the name varying by translation)². Contemporary chronicler Ibn al‑Qalanisi reported that many of the October 1138 CE shocks were also felt in Damascus. Another source, the Chronicon 1234, wrote that Jerusalem was unaffected.

Footnotes

1 This may suggest that the epicenter of this event lay west of Aleppo.

2 Guidoboni et al. (2004:109) state that this village was located near ancient Cyrrhus.