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Sequel to the Two Gardens by Abu Shama

Al-Dhayl 'ala 'l-Rawdatayn by Abu Shama

Aliases
Aliases Arabic
Abu Shama
Abū Shāma Shihāb al-Dīn al-Maḳdisī
Abū Shāma Shihāb al-Dīn Abuʾl-Ḳāsim ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Ismāʿīl ibn Ibrāhīm ibn ʿUthmān ibn Abī Bakr ibn Ibrāhīm ibn Muḥammad al-Maḳdisī (or al-Maqdisī)
Shihāb al-Dīn Abuʾl-Ḳāsim ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Ismāʿīl al-Maḳdisī
Background and Biography
Background and Biography

Events
13 October 1156 CE Hama, Apamea, and Aleppo Quake(s)

According to Ibn al-Qalanisi [1], on the eve of a.H. 551 Shaban 25 (13 October 1156) an earthquake was strongly felt ‘until the end of the day in Damascus’. He adds that reports were received from Aleppo and Hamah of heavy damage, and also of the collapse of a tower in Afamya. Apparently forty shocks were felt in those towns, which indicates an uncertain large number.

The earthquake, which is listed by Abu Shama immediately after the earthquake of 15 May seems to be misdated. He says that ‘On the night of the 25th of the same month [Rabi I] [18 May 1156], an earthquake took place in the morning, then another in the evening’. The ‘morning of the night’ must mean the early hours of 18 May, when, being before daybreak, it was still officially the eve. Some time after the evening earthquake news came of the destruction of ‘numerous places’ in the region of Aleppo and Hamah. The same source adds that ‘I had indicated that the number of places [that had been damaged] which could be counted reached forty’.

Mention of the damage in Aleppo and Hamah and of the number ‘forty’ by both sources (together with the almost identical descriptions of the last foreshock and first aftershock) makes it obvious that he is referring to the same event. Since Ibn al-Qalanisi probably witnessed it, his date seems more trustworthy than those of Abu Shama, who was writing a century later and thus subject to textual-transmission problems. The apparent substitution of forty cities for forty shocks is a miscopying typical of a late source. On the other hand, Ibn al-Qalanisi, dealing with such a large number of earthquakes, may have confused some of the dates, and Abu Shama, who is certainly known to have made considerable use of Ibn al-Qalanisi, may have treated the former’s dates critically in the light of other sources such as city archives. The first explanation appears more probable, however, since the sequence of earthquakes at about this time in Abu Shama (a.H. 551 Rabi I 22, 25, 29) continues exactly as does Ibn al-Qalanisi’s in October (a.H. 551 Shabban 22, 25, 29). It thus seems probable that by some error Abu Shama has transposed the events by five months.

9 December 1156 CE Aleppo Quake(s)

Ambraseys (2009) wrote that Abu Shama, writing about 100 years after the events, stated that ‘one or several earthquakes’ struck on 7–8 December. This was likely based on an account(s) from Damascus.

April 1157 CE Hama Quake(s)

Ambraseys (2009) wrote that Abu Shama, writing about 100 years later, stated that there were three earthquakes on 2, 2–3/3–4 and 4 April which, according to the news which came from the territory of Sham produced considerable effects.

July 1157 CE Shaizar Quake(s)

Excerpts

English from Ambraseys (2009)

On 3rd Rejeb [11 August 1157] he [Nur ad-Din] went towards the district of Aleppo to make another inspection and to examine in detail the means of equipping the city to resist the infidels’ plundering, when the army of the prince son of Mas’ud approached.

Abu Ya’la adds:
As we reported previously, Nur ad-Din had left Damascus at the head of his army and had gone to Syria, having received the news of the coalition of the Frankish armies . . . For the latter were preparing to invade the country in the hope of profiting from the earthquake and repeated upheavals of the soil which had just destroyed the efforts, citadels and houses of the provinces, and ruined the fortress towns which would have protected the Muslims and provided an asylum to the survivors to the populations of Hims, Shaizar, Kaferthab, Hamah, etc.
(Abu Shama, 92).

English translated from French from Barbieu de Meynard (1884)

YEAR 552 (FEBRUARY 13, 1157 - FEBRUARY 2, 1158)

... According to the account of Reïs Abou Ya'la, during the second decade of the month of Djoumada II (July 21-31, 1157), the news spread that the son of Sultan Mas'oud, at the head of a vast army, had arrived at Antioch and camped under the walls of that city. This event necessitated the restoration of the truce between Nour ed-Dîn and the prince of the Franks. A very active correspondence was exchanged on this effect between the two camps; but reciprocal complaints and disagreements spoiled everything and we could not agree on an arrangement. Nour ed-Dîn returned to the capital of his States at the head of only a part of his army, having left the rest, as well as his generals, with the Arabs opposite the districts of the infidels. On the 3rd of the month of Redjeb (August 11, 1157), he headed for the district of Aleppo to renew his inspection there and carefully examine the means of putting him in a position to resist the depredations of the infidels, as the army of Prince Son of Mas'oud approached.

Abu Ya'la adds:
As we reported earlier, Nour ed-Dîn had left Damascus at the head of his army and had gone to Syria when he had received the news of the coalition armies of the Franks (God forsake them!) who prepared to invade this country in the hope to take advantage of what earthquakes and repeated ground shaking had done to destroy the forts, citadels and houses in the provinces, and ruin the fortified towns which would have protected the Muslims and offered asylum to those who had survived from Hims, Chaizer, Kaferthab, Hamah, etc. ...

French from Barbieu de Meynard (1884)

ANNÉE 552 (13 FÉVRIER 1157 - 2 FÉVRIER 1158)

... D'après le récit du Reïs Abou Ya'la, durant la deuxième décade du mois de Djoumada II (21-31 juillet 1157), la nouvelle se répandit que le fils de Sultan Mas'oud, à la tête d'une nombreuse armée, était arrivé à Antioche et avait campé sous les murs de cette ville. Cet événement rendait nécessaire le rétablissement de la trêve entre Nour ed-Dîn et le prince des Francs. Une correspondance très active fut échangée à cet effet entre les deux camps; mais des réclamations réciproques et des dissentiments gâtèrent tout et l'on ne put s'entendre sur un arrangement. Nour ed-Dîn rentra dans la capitale de ses États à la tête d'une partie seulement de son armée, ayant laissé le reste, ainsi que ses généraux, avec les Arabes en face des districts des infidèles. — Le 3 du mois de Redjeb (11 août 1157), il se dirigea vers le district d'Alep pour y renouveler son inspection et examiner attentivement les moyens de le mettre en état de résister aux déprédations des infidèles, alors que l'armée du prince fils de Mas'oud s'approchait.

Abou Ya'la ajoute:
Comme nous l'avons rapporté précédemment, Nour ed-Dîn avait quitté Damas à la tête de son armée et s'était rendu en Syrie lorsqu'il avait reçu la nouvelle de la coalition des armées des Francs (Dieu les abandonne!) qui se disposaient à envahir ce pays dans l'espoir de profiter de ce que les tremblements de terre et les commotions répétées du sol venaient de détruire les forts, les citadelles et les maisons dans les provinces, et ruiner les villes fortes qui auraient protégé les musulmans et offert un asile à ce qui avait survécu des populations de Hims, Chaïzer, Kaferthab, Hamah, etc. ...

French from Barbieu de Meynard (1884) - embedded



Chronology
Date Reference Corrections Notes
13 Feb. 1157 CE - 1 Feb. 1158 CE A.H. 552 none
  • calculated using CHRONOS
  • Date of 3 Rajab A.H. 552 (11 August 1157 CE) provided in Abu Shama's account is the date when Nur ad-Din marched his army north from Damascus to Aleppo to inspect seismic damage and protect the northern cities from an opportunistic attack by the Crusaders. Since Nur ad-Din left on 11 August - a day before the 12 August Apamea Quake(s) - this indicates that he was responding to seismic damage due to the July 1157 CE Shaizar Quake(s) and the description in Abu Shama's account is from the earthquake(s) in July
Seismic Effects
  • earthquakes and repeated ground shaking had done to destroy the forts, citadels and houses in the provinces, and ruin the fortified towns which would have protected the Muslims and offered asylum to those who had survived from Hims, Chaizer, Kaferthab, Hamah, etc.
Locations

August to September 1157 CE Hama and Shaizar Quake(s)

Excerpts

English from Ambraseys (2009)

(a.S. 552) Ibn al-Athir records that there was a terrible earthquake in Syria, which, with its dreadful and repeated shocks, destroyed the towns and killed the inhabitants. The most violent shock occurred at Hamah and Shaizar: in one stroke they were completely overturned. The neighbouring localities, such as Hisn Barit, al-Ma’rra and other towns or villages were of the same kind; God only knows the countless multitude of people buried in the ruins. Ramparts, houses and citadels, everything collapsed, and if God had not bestowed upon the Muslims the favour of having Nur ad-Din to unite them under his orders and to defend the country, the Franks would have taken possession of it without siege or combat. (Abu Shama, 84–85).
Here is the record of Ibn Abi Thayy: in this same year [552] an earthquake took place which destroyed Shaizar. Nur ad-Din betook himself to this town and relieved it from the Benu-Muqidhs to give it to Mejd ad-Din, son of ad-Daya, then he left for Sarmin . . . (Abu Shama, 95).
According to the report of Radhi ad-Din Abu Salin ‘Abd al-Mun’im ibn al-Mundir, when the sultan went into the country to take possession of Shaizar, he ordered Abu Ghanem, son of al-Mundir, who accompanied him on his expedition, to draw up an edict authorising the abolition of arbitrary taxes in order to help Aleppo, Damascus, Hims Harran, Sinjar, Rahabah, ‘Azaz, Tell Bashir, and ‘Adad al-Arab. Here is a copy of this edict:
. . . He [the sultan] has realised that they [these towns] are finding it impossible to repair the damage done by the infidels (may God exterminate them!) when the country was invaded and authority usurped by them . . . . . . Consequently the sultan exempts all travellers and all Muslims in general from rates and city tolls . . . The rate of these reliefs is liberally fixed and decreed by the sultan at an annual sum of 156,000 dinars, distributed as follows: Aleppo, 50 000 dinars; ‘Azaz, for relief of city tolls newly imposed on travellers by the beastly Franks, 10 000 dinars; Tell Bashir, 20 000 dinars; al-Ma’rra, 3 000 dinars; Damascus the wellguarded, in view of the pleas for aid and assistance made by the inhabitants, whose lives and fortunes have been menaced by the attacks of the enemy, and also [bearing in mind] their inability to meet the annual tax under the local name of fassah, 20 000 dinars; Hims, 26 000 dinars; Harran, 5000 dinars; Sinjar, 1000 dinars; Rahbah, 10 000 dinars; ‘Adad al-’Arab, 10 000 dinars.
(Abu Shama 37–40).

English translated from French from Barbieu de Meynard (1884)

Barbieu de Meynard (1884:37-40)

I hear from my friend Chems ed-Dîn Isma'ïl, son of Sudakîn ben 'Abd Allah en-Nuri, that his father, former mamlouk freed by Nour ed-Dîn, told the following.
Nour ed-Dîn Mahmoud (may God have mercy on him!) wore a hair shirt and spent part of the night in prayers; he raised his hands to the sky, shed abundant tears and bowed humbly exclaiming, "Pity the tithe-reader and the tax-collector!"
According to what the Grand Judge Beha ed-Din told me, Sultan Nour ed-Din sent a dispatch to Baghdad by which he made known to the Caliph the nature and the amount of the taxes abolished and invited him to order preachers to apologize to merchants and in general to all Muslims for what he had received, that is, for what he had taken from their property (through taxes). Orders were given accordingly and the preachers spread this proclamation in the mosques.

According to the report of Radhi ed-Dîn Abou Salim 'Abd el-Moun'im ibn el-Moundir, when the sultan set out on the campaign to seize Chaïzer1, he ordered Abou Ghanem, son of el-Moundir, who accompanied him in this expedition, to draft an edict abolishing arbitrary taxes in favor of Aleppo, Damascus, Homs, Harran, Sindjar, Rabbah, 'Azaz, Tell-Bashir and 'Adad el-Arab. Here is the copy of this edict written in the name of the sultan.
The sultan, desiring to obtain the favor of God (may he be praised and exalted!) and taking into consideration the discomfort of his subjects (may God protect them!), decided that tax relief would be given to them. He took into account the impossibility of repairing the ruins made by the infidels (may God exterminate them!), when the country was invaded and authority usurped by them. The sultan gives this mark of interest to Muslims established on the border, this proof of benevolence to poor defenders of the ribat. It is to them that God has bestowed the special merits of holy war; he tested them by the neighborhood of infidelity, in order to exercise their patience and give them a greater reward. To deserve it, they have shown constancy and God has reserved for them the best salary and the most glorious retribution because he rewards lavishly those who are patient2. He restored possessions to them which had been robbed and which he had given to them long ago, during the conquests of Omar. He restored these provinces to the Muslim empire, after they had been oppressed by their former owners; his sword took them back from the accursed infidels. Thus the buildings of violence have disappeared, the columns of injustice has been reversed and justice has been restored, by virtue of this word of God: He who does good will receive ten times as much, and God gives double reward to whoever pleases him3. God supported the sultan and facilitated his triumph. By God's help he overthrew the tyranny of the infidels; through his inspiration he made the law of Islam manifest; he defeated the cohorts of the rebels and subjugated their insolent leaders: some were killed and deprived of burial, others forced to flee without stopping, others coupled in chains. This is our gift, be generous or parsimonious, you will not be asked to account for it — and he (Solomon) occupies a place close to us and the most beautiful of homes4. The sultan, understanding the nothingness of this world, wants to make it serve his eternal salvation; he retains his ephemeral reign only to present it to God and make it the viaticum of the other life. For piety will be an abundant resource, when all resources will have perished, a wide and safe road when the roads are doubtful, the day when no one will possess anything for anyone and that order will belong to God alone5.

Accordingly, the sultan exempts all travelers and all Muslims in general from the taxes and taxes of attribution, erases these from the roll of its finance offices and prohibits anyone from collecting them who, through injustice and greed, would dare to claim them, wishing by these measures to avoid an iniquity and obtain a reward from God. The rate of this relief, liberally granted and decreed by the sultan, in accordance with the book of God and custom of Mohammed his blessed prophet, is set annually at the sum of 156,000 dinars in cash distributed as follows:
  • Aleppo, 50,000 dinars
  • 'Azaz, in relief of the dues newly established on travelers by the accursed Franks, 10,000 dinars
  • Tell-Bashir, 21,000 dinars
  • El-Ma'rrah, 3,000 dinars
  • Well-guarded Damascus, given the requests for aid and relief made by the inhabitants threatened in their life and their fortune by the attacks of the enemy, and the impossibility where they find themselves of supporting the annual tax known by the local name of fassàh, 20,000 dinars
  • Homs, 26,000 dinars
  • Harran, 5,000 dinars
  • Sindjar, 1,000 dinars
  • Rahbah, 10,000 dinars
  • Adad el'Arab, 10,000 dinars6

...


Footnotes

1 We know from the testimony of Ibu el-Athîr that the place of Chaïzer, half ruined by the terrible earthquake which devastated Syria, fell to the power of Nour ed-Din, in the month of August 1157. Cf. RHC orienteaux, Vol. I, p. 34 and 506.

2 Quran, ch. XXXIX, vers. 13.

3 Quran, chap. VI, vers. 161, and ch. II, vers. 263

4 Quran, ch. XXVII, vers. 38 and 39

5 Quran, ch. LXXXII, vers. 18 and 19.

6 All these figures are given exactly in A and Ed. el provide a total of 156,000 dinars in accordance with the statement of the edict.

Barbieu de Meynard (1884:84-85)

YEAR 552 (FEBRUARY 13, 1157 - FEBRUARY 2, 1158)

Ibn el-Athîr reports that there was a terrible earthquake in Syria1 whose terrible and repeated shocks destroyed cities and people. The most violent shock occurred in Hamah and Chaizer which were suddenly overthrown from top to bottom. Neighboring localities, such as Hisn-Barîn, El-Ma'rra and other towns or villages suffered the same fate; God only knows how many countless numbers of people were buried under the ruins. Ramparts, houses or citadels, and everything collapsed, and if God had not granted the Muslims the favor of having Nour ed-Dîn to unite them under his command and defend the country, the Franks would have taken it without siege or combat.

On the thirteenth day of the month of Rebi' Ier (April 25, 1157), according to the account of Abou Ya'la, Nour ed-Dîn marched towards the canton of Ba'lbek to restore order and reinforce the garrison of this city. We then received from Hims and Hamah news that the accursed Franks had made an incursion on these two districts.
Footnotes

1 The author confines himself to summarizing in a few lines the long story of Ibn el-Athir. We'll find it in full in RHC Orienteaux, Vol. I, p. 503.

Barbieu de Meynard (1884:95)

YEAR 552 (FEBRUARY 13, 1157 - FEBRUARY 2, 1158)

... Here is what Ibn Abi Thayy reports:
This same year (552), the earthquake which destroyed Chaizer took place. Nour ed-Din went to this city and took it from the Benou-Monkidh to give it to Medjd ed-Dîn, son of Ed-Dàya, then he left for Sarmîn...

French from Barbieu de Meynard (1884)

Barbieu de Meynard (1884:37-40)

Je tiens de mon ami Chems ed-Dîn Isma'ïl, fils de Soudakîn ben 'Abd Allah en-Nouri, que son père, ancien mamlouk affranchi par Nour ed-Dîn, racontait ce qui suit.
Nour ed-Dîn Mahmoud (que Dieu ait pitié de lui!) revêtait un cilice et passait une partie de la nuit en prières; il levait les mains au ciel, répandait d'abondantes larmes et se prosternait humblement en s'écriant : « Pitié pour le col« lecteur de dîmes et le percepteur de taxes!
D'après ce que m'a raconté le grand-juge Beha ed-Dîn, le sultan Nour ed-Dîn envoya à Bagdad une dépêche par laquelle il faisait connaître au Khalife la nature et le chiffre des impôts supprimés et l'invitait d'ordonner aux prédicateurs de l'excuser auprès des marchands et en général de tous les musulmans pour ce qu'il avait reçu, c'est-à-dire pour ce qu'il avait prélevé sur leurs biens (par les impôts). Des ordres furent donnés en conséquence et les prédicateurs répandirent cette proclamation dans les mosquées.

Au rapport de Radhi ed-Dîn Abou Salim 'Abd el-Moun'im ibn el-Moundir, lorsque le sultan se mit en campagne pour s'emparer de Chaïzer1, il ordonna à Abou Ghanem, fils d'el-Moundir, qui l'accompagnait dans cette expédition, de rédiger un édit portant abolition des impôts arbitraires en faveur d'Alep, Damas Hems, Harran, Sindjar, Rabbah, 'Azaz, Tell-Bachir et 'Adad el-Arab. Voici la copie de cet édit rédigé au nom du sultan.
Le sultan, désirant obtenir la faveur de Dieu (qu'il soit loué et exalté !) et prenant en considération la gène de ses sujets (que Dieu les protège!), a décidé qu'un dégrèvement d'impôts leur serait accordé. I1 a tenu compte de l'impossibilité où ils se trouvent de réparer les ruines faites par les infidèles (que Dieu les extermine!), lorsque le pays a été envahi et l'autorité usurpée par eux. Le sultan donne cette marque d'intérêt aux musulmans établis à la frontière, cette preuve de bienveillance aux pauvres défenseurs des ribat. C'est à eux que Dieu a accordé spécialement les mérites de la guerre sainte; il les a mis à l'épreuve par le voisinage de l'infidélité, afin d'exercer leur patience et de leur donner une plus belle récompense. Pour la mériter, ils ont fait preuve de constance et Dieu leur a réservé le meilleur salaire, la plus glorieuse rétribution, car il récompense sans compter ceux qui sont patients2. Il leur a rendu les possessions dont ils avaient été spoliés et qu'il leur avait données jadis, à l'époque des conquêtes d'Omar. Il a rétabli ces provinces dans l'empire musulman, après qu'elles avaient été opprimées par leurs anciens possesseurs; son glaive les a reprises aux infidèles maudits. Ainsi les édifices de la violence ont disparu, les colonnes de l'injustice se sont renversées et le droit a été rétabli, en vertu de cette parole de Dieu: Celui qui fait le bien en recevra dix fois autant, et Dieu donne double récompense à qui lui plaît3. Dieu a accordé son appui au sultan et facilité son triomphe. Par l'aide de Dieu, il a renversé la tyrannie des infidèles; grâce à son inspiration, il a rendu manifeste la loi de l'islam; il a vaincu les cohortes rebelles et asservi leurs chefs insolents: les uns ont été tués et privés de sépulture, d'autres forcés à fuir sans s'arrêter, d'autres accouplés dans les chaînes. Tel est notre cadeau, montre-toi généreux ou parcimonieux, il ne t'en sera pas demandé compte — et il (Salomon) occupe une place près de nous et la plus belle des demeures4. Le sultan, comprenant le néant de ce monde, veut le faire servir à son salut éternel; il ne conserve la royauté éphémère que pour la présenter à Dieu et en faire le viatique de l'autre vie. Car la piété sera une ressource abondante, lorsque toute ressource aura péri, une route large et sûre lorsque les routes seront douteuses, le jour où personne ne possédera plus rien pour personne et que l'ordre appartiendra à Dieu seul5.

En conséquence, le sultan exempte tous les voyageurs et tous les musulmans en général des tailles et taxes d'octroi , efface celles-ci du rôle de ses bureaux de finance et en interdit la perception à quiconque, par injustice et avidité, oserait les réclamer, voulant par ces mesures éviter une iniquité et obtenir de Dieu une récompense. Le taux de ces dégrèvements libéralement octroyés et décrétés par le sultan, en conformité du livre de Dieu et de la coutume de Mohammed son prophète béni, est fixé annuellement à la somme en numéraire de i56,ooo dinars répartis comme suit:
  • Alep, 50,000 dinars
  • 'Azaz, en dégrèvement des taxes d'octroi nouvellement établies sur les voyageurs par les Francs maudits, 10,000 dinars
  • Tell-Bachir, 21,000 dinars
  • El-Ma'rrah , 3,000 dinars
  • Damas la bien gardée, vu les demandes d'aides et de secours formulées par les habitants menacés dans leur vie et leur fortune par les attaques de l'ennemi, et l'impossibilité où ils se trouvent de supporter l'impôt annuel connu sous le nom local de fassàh, 20,000 dinars
  • Hems, 26,000 dinars
  • Harran, 5,000 dinars
  • Sindjar, 1,000 dinars
  • Rahbah, 10,000 dinars
  • Adad el'Arab, 10,000 dinars6

...


Footnotes

1 On sait par te témoignage d'Ibu el-Athîr que la place de Chaïzer, à demi ruinée par le terrible tremblement de terre qui dévasta la Syrie, tomba au pouvoir de Nour ed-Din, au mois d'août 1157. Cf. RHC orientaux , Vol. p. 34 et 506.

2 Coran, chap. XXXIX, vers. 13.

3 Ibid., chap. VI, vers. 161, et chap. II, vers. 263

4 Coran, chap. XXVII, vers. 38 et 39

5 Ibid., chap. LXXXII, vers. 18 et 19.

6 Tous ces chiffres sont donnés exactement dans A et Ed. el fournissent un total de 156,000 dinars conforme à l'énoncé de l'édit.

Barbieu de Meynard (1884:84-85)

ANNÉE 552 (13 FÉVRIER 1157 - 2 FÉVRIER 1158)

Ibn el-Athîr rapporte qu'il y eut en Syrie un terrible tremblement de terre1 dont les secousses terribles et répétées détruisirent les villes et firent périr les habitants. La plus violente se produisit à Hamah et à Chaïzer qui, d'un seul coup, furent renversées de fond en comble. Les localités voisines, telles que Hisn-Barîn, El-Ma'rra et d'autres villes ou villages eurent le même sort; Dieu seul sait la quantité innombrable de gens qui furent ensevelis sous les ruines. Remparts, maisons on citadelles, tout s'écroula, et si Dieu n'avait accordé aux musulmans la faveur d'avoir Nour ed-Dîn pour les réunir sous ses ordres et défendre le pays, les Francs s'en seraient emparés sans siège ni combat.

Le treizième jour du mois de Rebi' Ier (25 avril 1157) , d'après le récit d'Abou Ya'la, Nour ed-Dîn se mit en marche vers le canton de Ba'lbek pour y rétablir l'ordre et renforcer la garnison de cette ville. On reçut alors de Hims et de Hamah la nouvelle que les Francs maudits avaient fait une incursion sur ces deux districts.
Footnotes

1 L'auteur se borne à résumer en quelques lignes le long récit d'Ibn el-Athir. On le trouvera en entier, RHC Orienteaux, Vol. I, p. 503.

Barbieu de Meynard (1884:95)

ANNÉE 552 (13 FÉVRIER 1157 - 2 FÉVRIER 1158)

... Voici ce que rapporte Ibn Abi Thayy:
Cetle même année (552), eut lieu le tremblement de terre qui détruisit Chaïzer. Nour ed-Dîn se porta sur cette ville et l'enleva aux Benou-Monkidh pour la donner à Medjd ed-Dîn, fils d'Ed-Dàya, puis il partit pour Sarmîn ...

Chronology
Date Reference Corrections Notes
13 Feb. 1157 CE - 1 Feb. 1158 CE A.H. 552 none calculated using CHRONOS
Seismic Effects
  • there was a terrible earthquake in Syria, which, with its dreadful and repeated shocks, destroyed the towns and killed the inhabitants
  • The most violent shock occurred at Hamah and Shaizar: in one stroke they were completely overturned
  • neighbouring localities, such as Hisn Barit, al-Ma’rra and other towns or villages were of the same kind; God only knows the countless multitude of people buried in the ruins
  • Ramparts, houses and citadels, everything collapsed
  • the sultan [Nur ad-Din] ... [issued] an edict authorising the abolition of arbitrary taxes in order to help Aleppo, ‘Azaz, Tell Bashir, El-Ma'rrah, Damascus, Homs, Harran, Sinjar, Rahabah, and ‘Adad al-Arab [many presumably damaged due to the earthquakes]
Locations

Sources
Sources

Online Versions and Further Reading
References