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The Complete History by Ibn al-Athir

الكامل في التاريخ by علي عز الدین بن الاثیر الجزري

Aliases
Aliases Arabic
Ibn al-Athir
Ali 'Izz al-Din Ibn al-Athir al-Jazari علي عز الدین بن الاثیر الجزري
Abu al-Hassan Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ash-Shaybani
Background and Biography
Background and Biography

Excerpts
English from Guidoboni and Comastri (2005)

In that same year [565 H.], on 12 Shawwal [29 June], the earth shook a number of times in a terrifying way: no-one had ever seen anything like it. The earthquake struck the whole region of Syria, Mesopotamia, Mawsil and Iraq. The most devastating effects were produced in Syria: there was very serious damage at Damascus, Ba'alabik, Hims, Hamat, Shayzar, Ba`rin, Aleppo and elsewhere; walls and citadels were destroyed everywhere; the walls of houses fell on to the inhabitants, who were killed in great numbers. When Nur al-Din heard about the earthquake, he came to Ba'alabik to rebuild the ruined walls and citadel, unaware that the earthquake had brought destruction to other places as well. When he arrived, he was told of the situation in the rest of the country: town walls destroyed and inhabitants scattered. When he had put someone in charge of reconstruction and defence at Ba'alabik, Nur al-Din made his way to Hims, in order to guarantee protection to its people; then he went to Hamat, and then to Ba`rin. The whole country was in severe danger from the Franks, especially the citadel of Ba`rin, which was near their positions and had lost all its surrounding walls. So he left part of his army there under the command of a general, so that reconstruction work could be carried out night and day. Then he went to Aleppo, where the effects of the earthquake were beyond comparison with what had happened at other towns. The survivors were still in a state of panic, which kept them from returning to places that had not been damaged, for fear of further shocks. Moreover, they were terrified at the idea of remaining in the countryside near Aleppo, because there was the danger that the Franks might attack. When Nur al-Din saw the effects of the earthquake on the town and its inhabitants, he camped outside Aleppo and directed the work of reconstruction himself, overseeing the work of the labourers and masons until the town walls, mosques and houses had been rebuilt. The cost of the work was enormous. In the territory of the Franks as well, - may God destroy them - the earthquake caused a great deal of damage. They too worked feverishly at reconstruction, fearing an attack by Nur al-Din. In this way, both sides hurried to rebuild, each out of fear of the other.

English from Ambraseys (2009)

Also in that year on 12th Shawwal, there was another terrible earthquake, the like of which had never been seen. Its effects were felt in Sham, Jazirah, Mosul, Iraq and also in other countries, while the area of maximum intensity was Sham. It caused a considerable amount of destruction in Damascus, Baalbek, Homs, Hamat, Caesarea, Barin and Aleppo. It destroyed walls and citadels and there were countless victims.

When Nureddin heard what had happened, he marched to Baalbek in order to repair the defences of the citadel, not having received any other information. After he had arrived at Baalbek he was acquainted with the destruction suffered in other towns, viz. damaged fortifications and vanished inhabitants. He left a garrison at Baalbek to protect and repair the town, and then travelled to Homs, where he did the same, then went on towards Hamat and Barin.

Nureddin was very curious to know about the situation in the Frankish territory, and in particular in the citadel of Barin. Not a wall remained standing there, and the city abutted on Frankish territory. He left a detachment of elite [troops] there under the command of a great emir. He also organised the works programme in such a way that it continued night and day.

Next Nureddin arrived at Aleppo and saw the effects of the earthquake: this city could not be compared with the others, for it had been completely destroyed by several shocks. The survivors were still gripped with fear: if they had been able to safeguard themselves against the terror of collapsing [buildings], they would have found no shelter from the earthquakes. Moreover, they were apprehensive of camping outside Aleppo, lest they found themselves surprised [i.e. attacked] by the Franks. When Nureddin saw what the earthquake had done to Aleppo and its population, he himself took charge of the rebuilding works. He supervised the workmen and stayed there until the reconstruction of the city was complete, and spent a fortune [on it].

As for the Frankish possessions - God curse them - the earthquake also had effect there. They [the Franks] began to rebuild their towns, fearing lest Nureddin attack them. Each camp made tremendous efforts to repair its possessions, for fear that the other would make an incursion. (Ibn al-Athir-B. xi. 355).

English from Sbeinati et al (2005)

Also in this year [565 A.H.] 12 Shawwal [1170 June 29], there were successive great terrible earthquakes which had never been seen before. Al-Sham, Al-Jazira, Al-Mousel, Iraq and other countries were affected. They were strongest in Al-Sham, where most of Damascus, Baalbak, Homs, Hama, Shaizar, Barin, Aleppo and others were destroyed, with their ramparts and fortresses, houses collapsed over their residents, killing countless numbers of people. Sultan Nur ed-Din visited these later towns and ordered to rebuild their ramparts and fortresses, while he found Aleppo had not been destroyed as these towns previously. Bilad Al-Firnj [in that time during the Crusader wars the Syrian coastal area was occupied by the Crusaders and called in Arabic Bilad Al-Firanj] was affected. (Ibn Al-Athir)

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Chronology
Date Reference Corrections Notes
Monday 29 June 1170 CE 12 Shawwal A.H. 565 none
Seismic Effects
  • the earth shook a number of times in a terrifying way
  • The earthquake struck the whole region of Syria, Mesopotamia, Mawsil and Iraq
  • The most devastating effects were produced in Syria
  • there was very serious damage at Damascus, Ba'alabik, Hims, Hamat, Shayzar, Ba`rin, Aleppo and elsewhere
  • walls and citadels were destroyed everywhere
  • the walls of houses fell on to the inhabitants, who were killed in great numbers
  • in the rest of the country: town walls destroyed and inhabitants scattered
  • the citadel of Ba`rin [...] lost all its surrounding walls
  • Aleppo - the effects of the earthquake were beyond comparison with what had happened at other towns. The survivors were still in a state of panic, which kept them from returning to places that had not been damaged, for fear of further shocks
  • In the territory of the Franks [...] the earthquake caused a great deal of damage
Locations mentioned
  • Syria
  • Jazira
  • Mosul
  • Iraq
  • Damascus
  • Baalbek
  • Homs
  • Hamat
  • Shayzar
  • Ba`rin
  • Aleppo
Sources
Sources

Online Versions and Further Reading
References