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Continuation of the Damascus Chronicle by Ibn al-Qalanisi

ذيـل تـاريـخ دمـشـق by ابو يعل

Aliases
Aliases Arabic
Ibn al-Qalanisi ابو يعل
Abu Ya‘la ابو يعل
Abu Ya‘la Hamzah ibn Asad ibn al-Qalanisi ابو يعلى حمزة ابن الاسد ابن القلانسي
Background and Biography
Background and Biography

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

Excerpts

English from Ambraseys (2009)

In the night of Saturday 25th of the same month [551 Shaban] the earthquake again filled people with terror until the end of the day. Then it ceased by the grace of God, who unleashed it and then made it stop. Reports were received from Aleppo and Hamat, where heavy damage had been sustained; one of the towers of Afmya collapsed as a result of this shock. Forty shocks, [we were] told – God knows best. Never had such a phenomenon been observed, either the year before or in previous times. (Ibn al-Qalanisi 334–336).

English from Guidoboni and Comastri (2005)

During the night of Saturday 25 of that month [13 October 1156], another earthquake filled hearts with fear from dawn and then throughout the day, until, by the will of Him who had brought them about, the Most High, the Omnipotent, the earthquakes subsided. News came from Aleppo and Hamat of disasters in many parts [of those provinces], and the destruction of a tower at Afamiyya, caused by these earthquakes sent by God. About 40 shocks were counted, but only God knows the truth of the matter. Certainly, nothing of the like had ever been seen in previous years.

English from Gibb (1932)

A.H. 551

(25th February, 1156, to 12th February, 1157)

...

On the eve of Thursday, 9th Sha`ban 551, corresponding to 27th September, and at the second hour thereof, there befel a mighty quaking of the earth. . . . This quaking was repeated on the eve of Wednesday 22nd Sha`ban (l0th October), and similar shocks took place both before and after. . . . News arrived from Aleppo and Hamah of the destruction of many places and the collapse of one of the bastions of Afamiya in these terrible earthquakes. . . . Further shocks took place during Ramadan and Shawwal1 too many to be recorded. God Most High averted from Damascus and its environs the consequences which the people dreaded from the frequence and persistence of this quaking, out of His compassion and mercy towards them (to Him be the praise and thanks), but reports were received from Aleppo of the multitude of shocks there and the destruction of some of its dwellings. As for2 Shaizar, the greater number of its houses fell down upon their inhabitants, so that a large number of them were killed, and at Kafr Tab the population took to flight in fear of their lives. The same was reported from Hamah, but it was not learned what happened in the other cities of Syria on this signal manifestation of the Divine power.
Footnotes

1 The detailed account of many of these shocks is omitted.

2 Reading 'amma for 'illa.

English from Gibb (1932) - embedded

  • some earthquake details are omitted in this translation
  • See 4 lines down from the top of page 326 starting with On the eve of Thursday, 9th Sha`ban 551
  • from Gibb (1932:326)
  • from archive.org


Chronology
Ambraseys (2009) and Guidoboni and Comastri (2005)
Date Reference Corrections Notes
Night of Saturday 13 October 1156 CE In the night of Saturday 25th of the same month (Shaban) A.H. 551 none
  • calculated using CHRONOS
  • 13 October 1156 CE fell on a Saturday (calculated using CHRONOS)
Additional Dates from Gibb (1932)
Date Reference Corrections Notes
~8 pm Thursday 27 September 1156 CE On the eve of Thursday at the second hour, 9th Shaban A.H. 551 none
  • calculated using CHRONOS
  • 27 September 1156 CE fell on a Thursday (calculated using CHRONOS)
night of Wednesday 10 October 1156 CE eve of Wednesday 22 Shaban A.H. 551 none
  • calculated using CHRONOS
  • 10 October 1156 CE fell on a Wednesday (calculated using CHRONOS)
18 October - 16 November 1156 CE Further shocks took place during Ramadan - too many to be recorded A.H. 551 none
17 November - 15 December 1156 CE Further shocks took place during Shawwal - too many to be recorded A.H. 551 none
Chronological discussion from Ambraseys (2009)

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.

Seismic Effects
  • Aftershocks - the earthquake again filled people with terror until the end of the day
  • News came from Aleppo and Hamat of disasters in many parts [of those provinces]
  • God Most High averted from Damascus and its environs the consequences which the people dreaded from the frequence and persistence of this quaking
  • reports were received from Aleppo of the multitude of shocks there and the destruction of some of its dwellings
  • As for Shaizar, the greater number of its houses fell down upon their inhabitants, so that a large number of them were killed, and at Kafr Tab the population took to flight in fear of their lives
  • at Kafr Tab the population took to flight in fear of their lives
  • The same was reported from Hamah
  • one of the towers of Afmya collapsed as a result of this shock.
  • Forty shocks, [we were] told – God knows best.
  • Never had such a phenomenon been observed, either the year before or in previous times.
Locations

9 December 1156 CE Aleppo Quake(s)

Excerpts

English from Ambraseys (2009)

In the night of Sunday 23rd Shawwal the earthquake again filled [people’s] souls with terror. So many earthquakes occurred after this that they could not be numbered. The good God spared Damascus and its suburbs, and the inhabitants were relieved by this show of benevolence and mercy. But on the other hand news came from Aleppo that many houses had been damaged there, except for Shaizar. The majority of dwellings had collapsed on their inhabitants, many of whom had been killed. The denizens of Kafratab were frightened, as were those of Hamat. In the other province of Sham, people did not know of the extraordinary events which had happened there.. (Ibn al-Qalanisi 334-336)

English from Guidoboni and Comastri (2005)

During the night of Sunday 23 Shawwal [9 December 1156], there was a tremendous earthquake which disturbed men's spirits. Other earthquakes followed — too frequent to number. God spared Damascus and its districts from this terror, displaying his mercy to the inhabitants, all praise and thanks be to Him, But news from Aleppo, not to mention Shayzar, spoke of many houses destroyed [at Aleppo], falling in on their inhabitants and so causing many deaths. The inhabitants of Kafar Tab fled from their town in panic. The same thing happened at Hamat; we heard nothing from the other Syrian provinces as to what happened after the earthquake

Chronology
Date Reference Corrections Notes
night of Sunday 9 December 1156 CE night of Sunday 23 Shawwal A.H. 551 none
  • calculated using CHRONOS
  • 9 December 1156 CE fell on a Sunday (calculated using CHRONOS)
Seismic Effects
  • During the night of Sunday 23 Shawwal [9 December 1156], there was a tremendous earthquake
  • So many earthquakes occurred after this that they could not be numbered.
  • God spared Damascus and its districts from this terror
  • news from Aleppo, not to mention Shayzar, spoke of many houses destroyed [at Aleppo], falling in on their inhabitants and so causing many deaths.
  • The inhabitants of Kafar Tab fled from their town in panic. The same thing happened at Hamat
Locations

April 1157 CE Hama Quake(s)

Excerpts

English from Ambraseys (2009)

The following year [a.H. 552] began on a Wednesday . . .We have mentioned the sequence of earthquakes in 551 which we will not go over again . . . On the night of Wednesday 19 Safar 552, just after sunrise, a prodigious earthquake occurred which frightened and tormented the people. It stopped by the grace of God, then a second, weaker, earthquake followed it on the night of the following Thursday, another a few hours later and a fourth earthquake after Friday prayers. (Ibn al-Qalanisi 337).

English from Guidoboni and Comastri (2005)

During the night of Wednesday 19 Safar in the year 552 [H. = 2 April 1157], towards dawn, there was a tremendous earthquake which caused great terror; but He who had brought it about then allayed it through. His goodness and mercy towards His servants. There was another, weaker shock during the night of the following Thursday, and another the next day, at the time of midday prayer. News came from the north about the effects of these earthquakes; first of all came news from the towns of Shayzar, Hamat, Kafar Tab and Afamiyya and their districts, and then from the area around Aleppo. [...] and God the Most High, the Holy, the Merciful, knows more.

English from Gibb (1932)

A.H. 552

(13th February, 1157, to 1st February, 1158)

The first day of this year was Wednesday [13th February].

On the eve of Wednesday, 19th Safar3 (3rd April), there was a great earthquake shock just about dawn . . . followed by another on the eve of the Thursday following . . . and another after the congregational prayer of the Friday following. A series of reports was received from the north relating the terrible effects of these earthquake shocks, both the earlier and the latter ones, in the city of Shaizar, Hamah, Kafr Tab, Afamiya, and the neighbourhood as far as places in the province of Aleppo.
Footnotes

3 Either the day of the week or the date must be wrong ; this Wednesday was probably 15th Safar.

English from Gibb (1932) - embedded



Chronology
Ambraseys (2009) and Guidoboni and Comastri (2005) excerpts
Date Reference Corrections Notes
Before dawn on Tuesday 2 April or Wednesday 3 April 1157 CE the night of Wednesday 19 Safar towards dawn A.H. 552 none
  • calculated using CHRONOS
  • 2 April 1157 CE fell on a Tuesday (calculated using CHRONOS)
  • Gibb (1932:328 note 3) writes that either the day of the week or the date must be wrong ; this Wednesday was probably 15th Safar but 15th Safar makes no sense because 15 Safar A.H. 552 corresponds to Friday 29 March 1157 CE.
Seismic Effects
  • there was a tremendous earthquake which caused great terror
  • There was another, weaker shock during the night of the following Thursday, and another the next day, at the time of midday prayer.
  • News came from the north about the effects of these earthquakes; first of all came news from the towns of Shayzar, Hamat, Kafar Tab and Afamiyya and their districts, and then from the area around Aleppo.
Locations

July 1157 CE Shaizar Quake(s)

Excerpts

English from Ambraseys (2009)

On the eve of 4th latter Jumada, at midday, another earthquake occurred, followed by a further, weaker, one. News came from the northern territory, according to which Aleppo had been affected by an earthquake which had afflicted the inhabitants and caused them great harm. The same event partially destroyed Homs, and the same occurred at Humat, Kafratab and Aphamya. Repairs were affected after the last earthquake had destroyed them. At Tayma’ the effects of the earthquake were felt with great violence and [resulted in] great terror. (Ibn al-Qalanisi 342– 343).

English from Guidoboni and Comastri (2005)

During the night of Sunday 4 Jumada II [14 July 1157], a shock occurred, followed by another of lesser intensity. [...] News from the north told of worsening earthquakes at Aleppo; the people of the city were terrified, as were those of Hims. Destruction occurred in many part of Hamat, Kafar Tab and Afamiyya, and what had been rebuilt after previous earthquakes collapsed again. It appears that at Tayma', too, houses suffered dreadful damage.

English from Gibb (1932)

A.H. 552

(13th February, 1157, to 1st February, 1158)

...

Nur al-Din now set about delivering an attack upon their territories in order to take possession of them and subjugate them (may God aid and support him therein by His grace and favour). On Thursday, 25th First Jumada (4th July) . . . and on the eve of Sunday, 4th Latter Jumada (14th July) repeated earthquake shocks occurred.1 Reports arrived from the north that these earthquakes were felt in Aleppo and likewise in Hims with a violence which terrified and distressed their inhabitants, and that several places were destroyed in them, and in Hamah, Kafr Tab, and Afamiya. Amongst the places destroyed were some which had been rebuilt after their destruction in the former earthquakes. It was reported also from Taima2 that these earthquakes had done terrible damage to its dwellings.
Footnotes

1 Details omitted. Further shocks are recorded below during Rajab (August).

2 On the northern slopes of the Jabal Druz.

English from Gibb (1932) - embedded

  • some earthquake details are omitted in this translation
  • See top of page 338 starting with Nur al-Din now set about delivering an attack
  • from Gibb (1932:326)
  • from archive.org


Chronology
Date Reference Corrections Notes
During the night on Sunday 14 July 1157 CE During the night of Sunday 4 Jumada II A.H. 552 none
  • calculated using CHRONOS
  • 14 July 1157 CE fell on a Sunday (calculated using CHRONOS)
Seismic Effects
  • a shock occurred, followed by another of lesser intensity
  • News from the north told of worsening earthquakes at Aleppo; the people of the city were terrified, as were those of Hims.
  • Destruction occurred in many part of Hamat, Kafar Tab and Afamiyya, and what had been rebuilt after previous earthquakes collapsed again.
  • It appears that at Tayma', too, houses suffered dreadful damage.
Locations

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

Excerpts

English from Ambraseys (2009)

At the 7th hour of Monday 4 Rajab of a.H. 552, there was an earthquake at Damascus, and no one had ever seen any to equal it. The people were seized with terror for their lives and homes. They fled their houses, shops, and everything which had a ceiling, and rushed outside. They took a quantity of irreplaceable precious objects from the mosque, and immediately afterwards there was a shock which stopped by the grace of God . . . At the beginning of the night on the same date there was another shock, then another at midnight and finally, at the end of the night, a shock which was weaker than the first one.
(a.H. 552) [After renewed earthquakes in the month of Rajab] reports arrived from the north with the horrifying and disquieting news that Hamah together with its citadel and all its houses and dwellings had fallen down upon the heads of its inhabitants, . . . so that none escaped, save the merest handful. As for Shaizar, its suburb escaped, except for what had been destroyed earlier, but its famous castle fell down upon its governor . . . and his followers save a few who were without. At Hims the population had fled in panic from the town to its outskirts and themselves escaped, while their dwellings and the citadel were destroyed. At Aleppo some of the buildings were destroyed, and its people left the town. As for the more distant castles and fortresses as far as Jabala and Jubail, the earthquakes produced hideous effects on them. Salamiya was ruined and all the places in succession therefrom as far as al-Rahba and its neighbourhood. (Ibn al-Qalanisi 343–344).

English from Guidoboni and Comastri (2005)

At the ninth hour on 4 Rajab in that year [12 August 1157], there was a dreadful earthquake at Damascus, such as had never been seen before; the shocks lasted so long that people fled in terror from their houses and shops and other covered places. In the confusion, numerous priceless objects were lost in the mosque [the Great Umayyad Mosque]. Immediately afterwards, there was another shock, which the will of God immediately brought to an end; hearts grew calm again and fear ceased. There were more shocks during the evening of that day, in the middle of the night and towards dawn, the last one being weaker than the others.
On Friday 8 Rajab [16 August 1157], a dreadful shock spread panic again; it was followed by another shock in the middle of the night and a third at dawn. The same thing happened during the night of Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and on other days as well.
When the earthquake struck Damascus [during the night of Monday 29 Rajab (6 September 1157)] people were terrified. [The date is missing from Ibn al-Qalanisi's text, but can be found in Abu Shama, al-Rawdatayn, I, 105, where the same news is reported], the inhabitants were panic stricken and fled from their homes and other covered places towards the Great Mosque and open spaces, fearing for their lives. After that first shock there was another: the gates of the city were opened and people poured out into the countryside, the fields outside the walls and the desert, thus spending some days in anguish and fear, begging God to save them.

English from Gibb (1932)

  • from Gibb (1932:338-340)
  • some earthquake details are omitted in this translation
  • In order to add context, this excerpt begins with reports of the July 1157 CE Shaizar Quake(s) - July 1157 CE Shaizar Quake(s) are covered as a seperate event in this catalog
A.H. 552

(13th February, 1157, to 1st February, 1158)

...

Nur al-Din now set about delivering an attack upon their territories in order to take possession of them and subjugate them (may God aid and support him therein by His grace and favour). On Thursday, 25th First Jumada (4th July) . . . and on the eve of Sunday, 4th Latter Jumada (14th July) repeated earthquake shocks occurred.1 Reports arrived from the north that these earthquakes were felt in Aleppo and likewise in Hims with a violence which terrified and distressed their inhabitants, and that several places were destroyed in them, and in Hamah, Kafr Tab, and Afamiya. Amongst the places destroyed were some which had been rebuilt after their destruction in the former earthquakes. It was reported also from Taima2 that these earthquakes had done terrible damage to its dwellings.

Between the 11th and 12th of Latter Jumada a series of reports were received of the arrival of [Qilij Arslan] the son of Sultan Mas 'ud,3 with a great host in order to besiege Antioch. The circumstances made necessary the establishment of an armistice between al-Malik al-`Adil Nur al-Din and the King of the Franks, and letters passed to and fro between them with proposals and disputations, so that the matter went amiss and failed to lead to the desired conclusion of peace and a satisfactory and successful formula. Al-Malik al-`Adil (God increase him victorious) arrived with a portion of his `askar at the seat of his authority on Saturday, 25th Latter Jumada. (3rd August), and kept the remainder of his `askar and his officers, together with the Arabs, in the field, opposite the provinces of the polytheists (God forsake them). On Sunday, 3rd Rajab (11th August) he set out towards Aleppo and its districts in order to make a tour of inspection of them and supervise their defence, since the polytheists had ravaged them and the troops of the king Ibn Mas 'ud were in their immediate neighbourhood.

[After renewed earthquake shocks in the month of Rajab] reports arrived from the north with the horrifying and disquieting news that Hamah, together with its citadel and all its houses and dwellings, had fallen down upon the heads of its inhabitants — old men, young men, children and women, a large number and vast assembly of souls - so that none escaped, save the merest handful. As for Shaizar, its suburb escaped, except for what had been destroyed earlier, but its famous castle fell down upon its governor, Taj al-Dawla, son of Abu'ljasakir ibn Munqidh (God's mercy upon him), and his followers, save for a few who were without. At Hims, the population had fled in panic from the town to its outskirts and themselves escaped, while their dwellings and the citadel were destroyed. At Aleppo some of the buildings were destroyed, and its people left the town. As for the more distant castles and fortresses as far as Jabala and Jubail, the earthquakes produced hideous effects on them ; Salamiya was ruined and all the places in succession therefrom as far as al-Rahba and its neighbourhood. Had not the mercy and goodness of God overtaken His creatures arid the cities, there would have been a terrible disaster, and a serious and distressing situation.4
Footnotes

1 Details omitted. Further shocks are recorded below during Rajab (August).

2 On the northern slopes of the Jabal Druz.

3 See above p. 324.

4 Further shocks are related during Ramadan and Shawwal (October to November), which were especially severe in Aleppo and Hamih.

English from Gibb (1932) - embedded

  • some earthquake details are omitted in this translation
  • See top page 339 starting with Nur al-Din now set about delivering an attack
  • from Gibb (1932:338-340)
  • from archive.org


Chronology
12 August 1157 CE
Date Reference Corrections Notes
~3 pm on 12 August 1157 CE At the ninth hour on 4 Rajab A.H. 552 none
  • calculated using CHRONOS
  • Ambraseys (2009) excerpt says the earthquake struck Damascus at the 7th hour
  • Ambraseys (2009) interprets this as the 7th hour of the night but he is wrong because later in the text it says At the beginning of the night on the same date there was another shock. It was the 7th hour of the day.
  • Guidoboni and Comastri (2005) excerpt says the earthquake struck Damascus at the 9th hour
  • ~3 pm time estimate is based on assuming this refers to the 9th hour of the day
16 August 1157 CE
Date Reference Corrections Notes
Friday 16 August 1157 CE Friday 8 Rajab A.H. 552 none
  • calculated using CHRONOS
  • 16 August 1157 CE fell on a Friday (calculated using CHRONOS)
Around 6 September 1157 CE
Date Reference Corrections Notes
during the night around 6 September 1157 CE during the night of Monday 29 Rajab A.H. 552 none
  • Guidoboni and Comastri (2005) note that The date is missing from Ibn al-Qalanisi's text, but can be found in Abu Shama, al-Rawdatayn, I, 105, where the same news is reported
  • calculated using CHRONOS
  • 6 September 1157 CE fell on a Friday (calculated using CHRONOS)
Seismic Effects

12 August 1157 CE

Report from Damascus
  • there was a dreadful earthquake at Damascus, such as had never been seen before
  • the shocks lasted so long that people fled in terror from their houses and shops and other covered places.
  • In the confusion, numerous priceless objects were lost [stolen] from the mosque [the Great Umayyad Mosque].
  • Immediately afterwards, there was another shock
  • There were more shocks during the evening of that day, in the middle of the night and towards dawn, the last one being weaker than the others.
Reports from the north (possibly due to multiple events)
  • reports arrived from the north with the horrifying and disquieting news that Hamah together with its citadel and all its houses and dwellings had fallen down upon the heads of its inhabitants, . . . so that none escaped, save the merest handful.
  • As for Shaizar, its suburb escaped, except for what had been destroyed earlier, but its famous castle fell down upon its governor . . . and his followers save a few who were without.
  • At Hims the population had fled in panic from the town to its outskirts and themselves escaped, while their dwellings and the citadel were destroyed.
  • At Aleppo some of the buildings were destroyed, and its people left the town.
  • As for the more distant castles and fortresses as far as Jabala and Jubail, the earthquakes produced hideous effects on them.
  • Salamiya was ruined and all the places in succession therefrom as far as al-Rahba and its neighbourhood.
16 August 1157 CE
  • a dreadful shock spread panic again
  • it was followed by another shock in the middle of the night and a third at dawn.
  • The same thing happened during the night of Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and on other days as well.
~6 September 1157 CE
  • the earthquake struck Damascus
  • the inhabitants were panic stricken and fled from their homes and other covered places towards the Great Mosque and open spaces, fearing for their lives
  • After that first shock there was another
  • the gates of the city were opened and people poured out into the countryside, the fields outside the walls and the desert, thus spending some days in anguish and fear
Locations

12 August 1157 CE (locations north of Damascus may be due to differently dated events) 16 August 1157 CE
  • Damascus
~6 September 1157 CE
  • Damascus

Online Versions and Further Reading
References