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717 CE Quake

24 Dec. 717 CE

by Jefferson Williams









Introduction & Summary

Combined reports from a half dozen Syriac, Greek, and Arabic sources suggest that an earthquake struck northern Mesopotamia on Christmas Eve (~9 pm) 24 Dec. 717 CE. Several sources spoke of earthquakes lasting 6 months or 40 days which likely reflects continuing aftershocks. The most specific report in terms of type of damage and locations came from near contemporaneous source Pseudo Dionysius of Tell-Mahre who lived near to the area where the earthquake struck. Pseudo Dionysius wrote about building collapses and fatalities in a village in Tur Abdin, a hilly region situated in what is currently southeast Turkey. He also wrote that the old church in Edessa was damaged. See Ambraseys (2009) - reproduced in notes - for additional details and possible conflation errors in the combined accounts.

Textual Evidence

Text (with hotlink) Original Language Biographical Info Religion Date of Composition Location Composed Notes
Chronology, Location, and Damage Reports from Textual Sources
Pseudo-Dionysius of Tell-Mahre Syriac
Biography

Eastern Christian 750-775 CE Zuqnin Monastery Pseudo Dionysius of Tell-Mahre, a near contemporaneous source living in the region, wrote that a powerful and dreadful earthquake took place and destroyed many places, shrines, churches and great buildings, particularly in (Beth) Ma'de, as well as the Old Church of Edessa where large and high buildings collapsed on their inhabitants. He dated the earthquake to A.G. 1029 (1 Oct. 717 to 30 Sept. 718 CE).
Theophanes Greek
Biography

Orthodox (Byzantium) 810-815 CE Vicinity of Constantinople Theophanes wrote that a violent earthquake had occurred in Syria. In typical fashion, he supplied a variety of not entirely consistent time markers which constrain the date of the earthquake approximately between 25 Mar. 717 and 24 March 719 CE.
Chronicon ad annum 846 Syriac
Background

Christian 846 CE ? Chronicon ad annum 846 wrote that there was a great earthquake on the 24th of December, possibly in the 3rd hour of the night (~9 pm) in 717 CE. No locations were specified.
Elias of Nisibis Syriac and Arabic
Biography

Church of the East Early 11th c. Nusaybin, Turkey Elias of Nisibis wrote that there was an earthquake of land in Mesopotamia where many houses collapsed followed by continual earthquakes for six months. There appears to have been a typographic or scribal error in his date which, when corrected, specified a date of 24 Dec. 717 CE in agreement with Chronicon ad annum 846.
Al-Isfahani Arabic
Biography

Sufi ? Muslim before 1038 CE Isfahan ? Al-Isfahani wrote that earthquakes recurred and lasted for six months in A.H. 98 (25 Aug. 716 - 13 August 717 CE). He did not specify any locations.
as-Suyuti Arabic
Biography

Sufi Muslim 15th c. CE Cairo as-Suyuti wrote that earthquakes happened again for forty days in A.H. 99 (14 Aug. 717 - 2 Aug, 718 CE). Locations were not specified.
Text (with hotlink) Original Language Biographical Info Religion Date of Composition Location Composed Notes
Chronology, Location, and Damage Reports from Textual Sources

Chronology

Date
Date Author Date of Composition Notes
1 Oct. 717 to 30 Sept. 718 CE Pseudo-Dionysius of Tell-Mahre 775 CE
~25 Mar. 717 to ~24 March 719 CE Theophanes 810-815 CE
24 Dec. 717 CE Chonicon ad annum 846 846 CE ? specified that the earthquake struck at the third hour - possibly the third hour of the night
24 Dec. 717 CE Elias of Nisibis Early 11th c. CE Correction was required - chaging Jumada II to Jumada I
25 Aug. 716 - 13 August 717 CE Al-Isfahani before 1038 CE
14 Aug. 717 - 2 Aug, 718 CE as-Suyuti 15th c. CE

Location

Locations
                    Location                    Author Date of Composition Notes
  • (Beth) Ma'de1
  • Edessa
Footnotes

1 [Syriac Text]: For [Syriac Text], a village in the Tur-'Abdin, between Tella and Amida and to the north of them.

Pseudo-Dionysius of Tell-Mahre 775 CE
  • Syria
Theophanes 810-815 CE
  • none specified
Chonicon ad annum 846 846 CE ?
  • Mesopotamia
Elias of Nisibis Early 11th c. CE
  • none specified
Al-Isfahani before 1038 CE
  • none specified
as-Suyuti 15th c. CE

Seismic Effects

Seismic Effects
Seismic Effects Author Date of Composition Notes
  • A powerful and dreadful earthquake took place and destroyed many places, shrines, churches and great buildings, particularly in (Beth) Ma'de, as well as the Old Church of Edessa.
  • Large and high buildings collapsed on their inhabitants.
  • The earthquake left marks on even the ones that remained standing
Pseudo-Dionysius of Tell-Mahre 775 CE
  • a violent earthquake had occurred in Syria
Theophanes 810-815 CE
  • there was a great earthquake
Chonicon ad annum 846 846 CE ?
  • there was an earthquake of land in Mesopotamia
  • Many houses collapsed
  • There were continual earthquakes for six months
Elias of Nisibis Early 11th c. CE
  • earthquakes recurred and lasted for six months
Al-Isfahani before 1038 CE
  • earthquakes happened again for forty days
as-Suyuti 15th c. CE

Chronicle of Zuqnin (aka Annals Part IV) by Pseudo-Dionysius of Tell-Mahre

Background and Biography

Background and Biography

Excerpts
English from Harrak (1999)

(717-718) The year one thousand and twenty-nine:

A powerful and dreadful earthquake took place and destroyed many places, shrines, churches and great buildings, particularly in (Beth) Ma'de,1 as well as the Old Church of Edessa.2 Large and high buildings collapsed on their inhabitants. The earthquake left marks on even the ones that remained standing, so that their inhabitants might tremble before the Lord, whenever they would see the earthquake's marks. ...
Footnotes

1 [Syriac Text]: For [Syriac Text], a village in the Tur-'Abdin, between Tella and Amida and to the north of them.

2 Same date in Theophanes 399 (A.M. 6210) and Michael IV 457 [II 490], Chronicon 846 p. 234:19-21 [177]: Friday, the 3rd hour, 24 [December] S. 1029 (717). Elias I 162: (January) H. 99 (718).

Syriac - embedded



Chronology
Year Reference Corrections Notes
1 Oct. 717 to 30 Sept. 718 CE A.G. 1029 none
Seismic Effects Locations
Footnotes

1 [Syriac Text]: For [Syriac Text], a village in the Tur-'Abdin, between Tella and Amida and to the north of them.

Sources
Sources

Background Information
Pseudo-Dionysius of Tell-Mahre vs. Dionysius of Tell-Mahre

Online Versions and Further Reading
References

Chronicle of Theophanes

Background and Biography

Background and Biography

Excerpts
English from Mango and Scott (1997)

AM 6210 [AD 717/18]
Year of the divine Incarnation 710

Leo, 2nd year
Oumaros, leader of the Arabs (2 years), 1st year
Germanus, 4th year
John, 13th year

... In the same year, after a violent earthquake had occurred in Syriad
Footnotes

d Cf. Chr. 846, 177, 24 Dec.AG 1029; Mich. Syr.

English from Mango and Scott (1997) - embedded



English from Turtledove (1982)- embedded



Chronology
Year Reference Corrections Notes
25 Mar. 717 to 24 Mar. 718 CE A.M.a 6210 none
  • calculated using CHRONOS
  • If we use Grumel's (1934:398-402) synchronisms, A.M.a 6210 is in synchronism MA and the A.M.a year should start in March (see Theophanes' Calendaric Inconsistencies under Notes)
25 March 718 to 24 March 719 CE divine incarnation year 710 none
25 Mar. 718 to 24 Mar. 719 CE Leo, 2nd year none
  • calculated using CHRONOS
  • reign started 25 March 717 CE
22 Sept. 717 to 21 Sept. 718 CE Oumaros, leader of the Arabs (2 years), 1st year none
  • calculated using CHRONOS
  • reign started 22 Sept. 717 CE
1 Jan. 718 to 30 Dec. 719 CE Germanus, 4th year none
  • calculated using CHRONOS
  • consecrated in 715 CE
Seismic Effects Locations Sources
Sources

Online Versions and Further Reading
References

Notes
Theophanes' Calendaric Inconsistencies

Chronicon ad annum 846

Background and Biography

Background and Biography

Excerpts
English from Brooks (1897)

And in the year 1029, [in the month of December], on the 24th of it, on the Preparation7, at the third [hour], on the Nativity1, there was a great earthquake, and a voice was heard, as of many people.
Footnotes

7) El. Nis. also mentions this earthquake and places it on Fri. 15 Gum. II AH 99, i.e. Jan. 23, 718, which however was a Sunday. We must therefore correct 'Gum. I'. which gives us Dec. 24, 717, which was a Friday and agrees with our author.

1) Strictly on the Eve of the Nativity. By the 3rd hour the 3rd hour of the night is perhaps meant.

English - embedded



Chronology
Year Reference Corrections Notes
24 Dec. 717 CE in the year A.G. 1029, [in the month of December], on the 24th of it, on the Preparation, at the third [hour], on the Nativity none
  • Calculated using CHRONOS
  • Brooks (1897:584 n.1) suggests that the 3rd hour might refer to the 3rd hour of the night due to the reference to the Nativity.
Seismic Effects Locations Sources
Sources

Online Versions and Further Reading
References

Chronography by Elias of Nisibis (aka Elijah Bar Shinajah)

Background and Biography

Background and Biography

Excerpts
English from Delaporte (1910)

Year 99 [A.H.] Begins on Saturday 14 Ab of the year 1028 of the Greeks [August 14, 717 AD].

In which Suleiman, son of 'Abd el Malik, died. After him, 'Umar, son of 'Abd el 'Aziz, inaugurated his reign on Tuesday, 8 Safar [September 21, 717]

— In which there was an earthquake of land in Mesopotamia, on Friday 15 Gumadu II1. Many houses collapsed. There were continual earthquakes for six months (Kuwarazmi).
Footnotes

1. 13 Gumada II was Sunday 23 January 718; What should we not read: "15 Gumada 1", which was Friday, December 24, 717?

French from Delaporte (1910)

An 99. — A commence le samedi 14 Ab de l'an 1028 des Grecs [14 aout 717 de J.-C.].

En lequel mourut Suleiman, fils de 'Abd el Melik. Apres lui, 'Omar, fils de 'Abd el 'Aziz, inaugura son regne le mardi 8 Safar [21 septembre 717], — En lequel il y eut un tremblement de terre en Mesopolamie, le vendredi 15 Gumadu II1, Beaucoud de maisons s'ecroulerent. Il y eut des tremblements de terre continuels pendant six mois (Kuwarazmi).
Footnotes

1. Le 13 Gumada II fut le dimanche 23 Janvier 718; ue faut-il pas lire: « le 15 Gumada 1 », qui fut le vendredi 24 decembre 717?

French from Delaporte (1910) - embedded



Syriac - embedded

  • not bookmarked


Chronology
Year Reference Corrections Notes
24 Dec. 717 CE Friday 15 Jumada I A.H. 99 Jumada II altered to Jumada I
  • Calculated using CHRONOS
  • Original text specified Friday 15 Jumada II A.H. 99 which equates to 23 Jan. 718 CE and fell on a Sunday (Calculated using CHRONOS)
  • 15 Jumada I A.H. 99 equates to 24 Dec. 717 CE and fell on a Friday
  • A date of 24 Dec. 717 CE agrees with the date from Chronicon ad annum 846
Seismic Effects Locations Sources
Source

Online Versions and Further Reading
References

Kitab tarikh sini muuk al-ard wa’l anbiya by Al-Isfahani

Kitab tarikh sini muuk al-ard wa’l anbiya by Al-Isfahani

Aliases

Aliases Arabic
Al-Isfahani
Abu al-Fath Mahmud ibn Muhammad ibn Qasim ibn Fadl al-Isfahani
Hamza Ibn Hasan al-Isfahani
Abu Nu'aym al-Isfahani, Ahmad b. 'Abd Allah b. Ishak b. Musa b. Mihran al-Shafi'i
Background and Biography
Background and Biography

Excerpts
English from Ambraseys (2009)

'[After the earthquake of 94 in Antiochia] in the year a.H. 98 earthquakes recurred and lasted for six months.' (al-Isfah. 187).

Chronology
Year Reference Corrections Notes
25 Aug. 716 - 13 August 717 CE A.H. 98 none
Seismic Effects Locations Online Versions and Further Reading
References

Clearing up the Description of Earthquakes by Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti

كتاب كشف الصلصلة عن وصف الزلزلة by عبد الرحمن بن كمال الدين أبي بكر بن محمد سابق الدين خضر الخضيري الأسيوطي

Aliases

Aliases Arabic
Al-Suyuti
As-Suyuti
Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti
Abu 'l-Fadl 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr ibn Muhammad Djalal al_Din al-Khudayri
Background and Biography
Background and Biography

Excerpts
English from Ambraseys (2009)

In the year A.H. 98 [25 August 716 to 13 August 717] earthquakes happened again for forty days: this is what is said in al- Mirat.' (al-Suyuti 16/9)

`In the caliphate of `Umar `Abd al-'Aziz (99 Safar 10 [22 September 717]-101 Rajab 20 [5 February 720])' (al-Suyuti 17/9).

An Original Manuscript - Arabic

  • The Noor book courtesy of Najib Abou Karaki (personal correspondence, 2022)



























Chronology
Year Reference Corrections Notes
14 Aug. 717 - 2 Aug, 718 CE A.H. 99 none
Seismic Effects Locations Sources
Sources

Notes and Further Reading
References

Archaeoseismic Evidence

Location (with hotlink) Status Intensity Notes
Hama Needs investigation. Walmsley (2013:89) reports possible earthquake evidence in Hamah in the 8th century CE:
The mound at Hamah apparently was walled (or re-walled) in the eighth century (Ploug 1985: 109-11), and although Ploug opts for a Byzantine date an Umayyad one fits better.
Reṣafa possible Sack et al (2010) reports seismic destruction that led to abandonment of Basilica B which probably took place before the middle of the seventh century and certainly before the building of the Great Mosque was begun in the second quarter of the eighth century. Al Khabour (2016) notes that the Basilica of St. Sergius (Basilica A) suffered earthquake destructions but did not supply dates. The apse displays fractures that appear to be a result of earthquakes or differential subsidence . Sack et al (2010:307) reported that from the building of the church [Basilica A first built in the 5th century CE] up to the abandonment of the city in the 13th century, earthquakes and the building ground weakened by underground dolines [aka sinkholes] have caused considerable damage.
Palmyra possible ≥ 8 Intagliata (2018:27) reports that water pipes are believed to have been laid in Umayyad times, but were destroyed after a disastrous earthquake and then replaced in the ʿAbbāsid era (al-Asʿad and Stępniowski 1989, 209–10; Juchniewicz and Żuchowska 2012, 70). Juchniewicz and Żuchowska (2012:70) report the following:
Excavation in the Camp of Diocletian, in the area of Water Gate revealed pipeline which is dated by Barański to the Abbasid Period ( Baranski, 1997, 9-10). This pipeline, as well as the earlier one dated to Omayyad Period, is clearly visible in the Great Colonnade, running along the Omayyad suq (al-Asʿad and Stępniowski 1989, 209–10). The Omayyad pipeline was replaced by the later one probably after earthquake. Some of the monumental architraves from the Great Colonnade fell down and destroyed the Omayyad conduits.
Gawlikowski (1994:141) suggests that an earthquake struck the then abandoned Basilica around 800 CE leading to wall collapse.
Location (with hotlink) Status Intensity Notes
Hama



Reṣafa



Palmyra



Tsunamogenic Evidence

Paleoseismic Evidence

Notes

Ambraseys (2009)

AD 717 Dec 24 Syria

A damaging earthquake in Syria. Although many Byzantine and Arab writers describe this earthquake as most destructive, they do not mention the particular localities affected in Syria or Jazira (Mesopotamia). Aftershocks continued for six months.

Theophanes reports a 'great earthquake' in Syria in a.M. 6210 = September 717 to August 718. Once again the regnal year is one too low: Leo III a.2 =18 April 716 to 17 April 717. This is reported as occurring just before the caliph `Urnar banned wine in the cities and forced Christians to convert to Islam'.

The Syriac sources give more details. Chron. 846 dates this event to a.S. 1029, Kanun I, 24 on Friday, at the third hour, 'on the Feast of the Nativity' = 24 December 717, while al-Isfahani reports a recurrence of earthquakes in Sham in a.H. 98 (25 August 716 to 13 August 717), which is probably on al-Khawarizmi's authority. Two editions of Elias of Nisibe have important differences: both record an earthquake in Syria and Mesopotamia, adding that houses collapsed, which is significantly more detail than is given by Theophanes and the Chron. 846. Where they differ is that the Syriac edition gives a.S. 1028 Jumada II, a year too low, if this is the same earthquake. However, Eli. Nis. D. 33r gives a.H. 99 Jumada II, 15, a Friday = 23 January 718. This does not appear particularly helpful either, except that a.H. 99 Jumada II, 15 was not a Friday but a Sunday. Jumada I, 15th of a.H. 99 was Friday 24 December 717, hence it is probably a copyist's error. Thus it is certain that the entries in Elias of Nisibe refer to this rather than to another earthquake, probably of AD 713. Al-Suyuti has a brief note on this earthquake taken from the Mirat of Ibn al-Jauzi; a second entry says that 'as we have already noted' an earthquake took place in Syria during the caliphate of `Umar `Abd al-'Aziz. The latter was in fact caliph from 99 Safar 10 (22 September 717) to 101 Rajab 20 (5 February 720), so this is either an error or in fact pertains to an aftershock or to another earthquake.

Syrian authors give 15 Jumada II 99 a.H., instead of Jumada I, which may have led Guidoboni et al. (1994, 360-619) to include an additional earthquake in their catalogue. Also the damage to Edessa and Batna Sarug attributed to this earthquake by these authors is in error since their sources refer, quite clearly, to the event in AD 679.

Notes

(a.M. 6210) In the same year a great earthquake happened in Syria, and `Urnar banned wine from the cities, and compelled the Christians to convert to Islam.' (Theoph. 399).


`And in the year 1029, in the month of prior kanun, the 24th day, Friday, 3rd hour, on the feast of the Nativity, there was a violent earthquake, and a sound like great thunder was heard.' (Chron. 846, 234/177).


' [After the earthquake of 94 in Antiochia] in the year a.H. 98 earthquakes recurred and lasted for six months.' (al-Isfah. 187).


`Year 99 began on Saturday 14th Ab of a.S. 1028... and at that time there was an earthquake in Mesopotamia on the day of preparation in the middle of latter gumada, and many houses fell. And the earthquake continued for six months.' (Eli. Nis. 161 162/177).

Arabic version (Eli. Nis. D. 33r)


`In the year 98 [25 August 716 to 13 August 717] earthquakes happened again for forty days: this is what is said in al- Mirat.' (al-Suyuti 16/9).


`In the caliphate of `Umar `Abd al-'Aziz (99 Safar 10 [22 September 717]-101 Rajab 20 [5 February 720])' (al-Suyuti 17/9).

References

Ambraseys, N. N. (2009). Earthquakes in the Mediterranean and Middle East: a multidisciplinary study of seismicity up to 1900.

Guidoboni et al (1994)

(244) dawn on 24 December 717 Mesopotamia, Syria

sources 1

sources 2 catalogues According to Theophanes and the Syriac Chronicle of 846, Syria was struck by a strong earthquake on 24 December 717 A.D. Pseudo-Dionysius of Tellmahre and Elias of Nisibis report that Mesopotamia was also struck by an earthquake at that period. Theophanes reports:
In that same year [6210 = 717/718 A.D.], since there had been a strong earthquake in Syria, `Umar banned wine from his cities and forced the Christians to embrace the Islamic faith.
The Syriac Chronicle of 846 also describes an earthquake in Syria on Christmas Day:
"And in the year 1029, on 24 Canun I [December] on Friday at the third hour, it being Christmas, there was a great earthquake, and the noise it made was mistaken for a heavy burst of thunder".
Pseudo-Dionysius of Tellmahre conflates this earthquake with the one occurred in 679, which damaged Edessa and Batnan (see entry ( 242 ):
"In the year 1029 [of the Greeks; i.e. 717-718 A.D ], there was a severe and terrible earthquake, and it destroyed many places, including temples and churches and great buildings. In particular it destroyed Beit Ma`de [Batnan] and the ancient church of Edessa. Even large and tall buildings collapsed on top of their inhabitants; and even in the case of buildings which survived and did not collapse in the tremor, the earthquake left signs of its presence in them, so that their inhabitants would tremble before the Lord every time they saw those signs of the earthquake".
Elias of Nisibis describes the earthquake in Mesopotamia as follows:
"The year 99 [of the Hegira; i.e. 14 August 717 -2 August 718 A.D.] began on Saturday 14 Ab [August] in the year 1028 of the Greeks. Kuwarazmi [...]. In that year there was an earthquake in Mesopotamia on a Friday about half way through Gumara II. Many houses collapsed; and the shocks lasted for six months".
Grumel (1958, p.479) dates the earthquake to 21/24 January 718, perhaps as the result of an error in working out the Syriac calendar.

References

Guidoboni, E., et al. (1994). Catalogue of Ancient Earthquakes in the Mediterranean Area up to the 10th Century. Rome, Istituto nazionale di geofisica.

An apparently slightly earlier earthquake discussed in Palmer et al (1993)

Palmer et al (1993:45-46) wrote

7. A CHRONICLE OF DISASTERS DATED AD 716

INTRODUCTION

A short notice, concerning various natural disasters which occurred between the years AD 712 and 716, is to be found in a manuscript dated AD 874, where it follows an account of the meeting between the Syrian Orthodox Patriarch, John I, Composer of Prayers (AD 632-48), and an unnamed emir, on 9 May of an unspecified year (see Reinink, ‘Syriac apologetic literature’). The text (translated by S. P. Brock) helps to make the transition from the chronicles to the apocalyptic texts, No. 14 and No. 15. The author of the historical note would appear to have been a contemporary of the events he describes; his openness about the significance with which his beliefs endowed them is useful in understanding those texts in which we have to try to read between the lines. The text was edited, with a French translation, by Nau, ‘Un colloque’.

Next, the various aflictions which came to the land in the year 1024 according to the numeration of Alexander, and [in the years] following:
When the kingdom of the Ishmaelites held sway, its control spread over the whole land, in the days of Walid b. ‘Abd al-Malik b. Marwin who was reigning at that time, and the patriarch of the apostolic faith of the Orthodox, Elijah, was recognized throughout the whole land of Syria - he was from the monastery of Gubb6 BarrGyG, called ‘in the desert’: in the year 1023 according to the reckoning of the Greeks, on 8 August, a sign was seen in the sky, in the shape of a long lance, wide at the upper tip. It was in the northern part of the sky, facing and inclined towards the southern part, and it appeared in the evening, about the second hour [of the night].

In the following year, 1024, from December to February, there occurred [as] a judgment a great plague in the land, and many people perished in it, mercilessly. During this aforesaid act of judgment, before it had yet come to an end, on 28 February of that same year, in the middle of the night before Tuesday, there occurred a great earthquake, so that houses in the villages, churches, and many large towns collapsed on top of the people living there, bringing death to them in various and many terrible ways: in some cases houses, villages and towns caved in; some people were suffocated, while others were crushed; many others were left alive, with their homes made into graves; others were rescued. All these things occurred in accordance with the just, inscrutable and astonishing judgments of God.

This in particular happened, the story and account reaching us by way of people who were actually involved and who saw it. In what is now called the ‘western region’, I mean the city of Antioch and the area of Seleucia (?) and KSYWT, and the whole coast, this earthquake lasted from 28 February until the year 1027, so that the inhabitants of the villages and towns everywhere spent all this time with any of their property that remained, camping out and living away from their homes, in the fields, on the hills, on threshing floors, in orchards, making themselves tents and shelters. Many others (fled), their work left under the open sky without protection, out of fear and terror at the terrible judgment that had been brought upon the land and all who live in it because of our sins and iniquities. While these two terrible afflictions were still running their course together without any relaxation or end, God sent to the land a third affliction, known as the bubonic plague; countless people were buried without pity in all sorts of places.
References

Palmer, A., et al. (1993). The Seventh Century in the West-Syrian Chronicles, Liverpool University Press. - at archive.org - online open access - can be read ("borrowed") with a free account

Paleoclimate - Droughts

Footnotes

References

References

al-Isfah.: al-Isfahani, Hamza Ibn Hasan, Kitab tarikh sini muuk al-ard wa'l anbiya, ed. J. M. Gottwaldt, Leipzig, 1844-48.