In the 14th indiction
a severe and tremendous earthquake occurred throughout the land of
Palestine, in Arabia and in the land of Mesopotamia, Antioch, Phoenice Maritima
and Phoenice Libanensis. In this terror the following cities suffered: 'Tyre, Sidon,
Berytus, Tripolis, Byblus, Botrys and parts of other cities. Large numbers of people
were trapped in them. In the city of Botrys part of the mountain called
Lithoprosopon, which is close to the sea, broke off and fell into the sea. The piece of
mountain formed a harbour, in which very large ships were able to anchor. The city
had not had a harbour in the past. The emperor sent money to all the provinces and
restored parts of these cities. At the time of the earthquake the sea retreated for a
mile and many ships were destroyed. Then at God's command the sea was restored to
its original bed.
