Chronicon Orientale

Background and Biography

Background and Biography

Excerpts

English from Cheiko (1903)

• Summarizes events during the reign of Michael I, Patriarch of Alexandria [ruled 743-767]
• from Cheiko (1903:134)

That night God showed his wrath and there was a terrible earthquake. Many cities collapsed. Not even one escaped destruction. Many ships sank on the same night. The earthquake shock made the timbers of the gates and walls come out of their place. This calamity occurred in the east during the reign of Merwan. It was discovered that 600 forts, towns, and cities were razed to the ground and an innumerable number of man and beast perished. When Abd al-Malik [Umayyad Governor of Egypt] the son of Musa saw the wrath of God, he dismissed the man.

Latin from Cheiko (1903)

• Summarizes events during the reign of Michael I, Patriarch of Alexandria [ruled 743-767]
• from Cheiko (1903:134)

Porro ea nocte furorem suum Deus ostendit, contigitque horribilis terraemotus, quo multae urbes corruerunt, nec vel unus e ruina evasit: multae praeterea naves eadem nocte submersae sunt:eaque fuit terraemotus quassatio, ut ligna portarum et parietum e suo loco prodirent.Quae quidem calamitas accidit in Oriente in toto Meruani Imperio. Recensitis autem, quae ea nocte per Orientem diruta fuerunt, locis, deprehensum est, sexcenta fuisse castella, oppida et urbes, numerumque hominum ac iumentorum infinitum interiisse. Cum igitur Dei furorem Abd-almalik filius Musa videret, hominem dimisit.

Latin and Arabic from Cheiko (1903) - embedded

• not bookmarked
• Summarizes events during the reign of Michael I, Patriarch of Alexandria [ruled 743-767]
• from Cheiko (1903:134)
• from hathitrust.org

Chronology

• during the reign of Merwan (r. 744 - 25 Jan. 750 CE)
• The Claremont Coptic Encyclopedia reports that the dates are in good order but untrustworthy as to actual calendar years.
• the earthquake struck at night

Seismic Effects

• there was a terrible earthquake
• Many cities collapsed
• Many ships sank on the same night
• The earthquake shock made the timbers of the gates and walls come out of their place
• This calamity occurred in the east
• 600 forts, towns, and cities were razed to the ground and an innumerable number of man and beast perished

Locations

• Egypt by implication (the author is a Coptic Christian)
• in the east

Online Versions and Further Reading

References