363 CE Cyril Quake Open site page in a new tab Open text page in a new tab Open text page in a new tab

Libanius (363 CE, Antioch) wrote:
As for us Antiochians, not one man survived, and the earthquakes which have happened bear witness to the evil: some cities in Palestine and Syria have been flattened in parts, others completely. It seems to us that the god is showing a great sign through great calamities. (Lib. Or. I.134 / Foerster I.147ff.)
The reference to cities in Palestine and Syria being partly or completely flattened relates to the 363 CE Cyril Quakes. However, when Libanius mentions Antioch, he does not appear to be describing the same earthquake, as Antioch lay too far from the affected region to have sustained damage from the Cyril Quakes.

By Jefferson Williams