Chronicon orientale records that during the reign of Marwan II (r. 744–25 January 750 CE), a night-time earthquake struck in the east — as seen from Egypt — and leveled six hundred forts, towns, and cities. It reportedly killed an innumerable number of men and beasts and made the timbers of the gates and walls come out of their place. The chronicle also notes that many ships sank on the same night.