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419 CE Monaxius and Plinta Quake

Winter or Spring of 419 CE

by Jefferson Williams









Introduction & Summary

An earthquake struck Palestine between 1 January 419 and 3 April 419. Ambraseys (2009), in an apparent mistake1, dates the earthquake to late 418 CE while Guidoboni et al (1994) and Russell (1985) correctly date the earthquake to the year 419 CE. The textual accounts of Marcellinus Comes and Idatius probably constrain the date of the earthquake to between 1 January 419 and 3 April 419 CE. Sources suggest many cities were damaged but only Jerusalem is mentioned specifically. Although the contemporaneous and near contemporaneous sources seem to be in agreement that it was a powerful earthquake, all the authors were located far from Palestine and had to have relied on report(s) from the area which they could not verify. Based on the accounts, the report(s) seems to derive from a widely distributed letter sent from Jerusalem. Archeoseismic and paleoseismic evidence may suggest a fault break in the Araba.
Footnotes

1 Ambraseys' mistake derives from accessing a bad translation. Ambraseys (2009) states

Marcellinus Comes places this event during the consulships of Monaxius and Plinta, in the second indiction, AD 419, whereas Idatius claims that ‘the holy places of Jerusalem as well as others were shaken by a most terrible earthquake’ during the papacy of St Zosimus (March 417 to December 418). In fact the earthquake happened in the second indiction during the consulship of Monaxius and Plinta (AD 419; Cons. Const. i. 240), and it is mentioned after the solar eclipse (Philostorg. xii. 8–9) of 19 July 418 (Schove and Fletcher 1987, 72–73, 290) at about the time of the appearance of fire in the sky (Philostorg. xii. 8–9), which is probably an allusion to the comet of September 418 (Schove and Fletcher 1987, 72–73, 290). These chronological elements suggest a date late in AD 418, probably in September or October.
The primary mistake here is placing the earthquake when Saint Zosimus was the bishop of Rome (March 417 to 26 December 418) rather than when Eulalius was the bishop of Rome (27 December 418 - 3 April 419). This is apparently due to having a copy of Idatius' Chronicon (ed. by Tranoy, 1974) in which there is a scribal error in naming the bishop of Rome. This error was recognized by Guidoboni et al (1994) citing Tranoy (1974). The error of the wrong bishop of Rome is not present in the copy of Idatius Chronicon edited by Burgess (1993).

Faced with the apparent contradiction of Idatius dating the earthquake to the reign of Saint Zosimus (March 417 - 26 December 418) and Marcellinus Comes dating the earthquake to the year of the consulship of Monaxius and Plinta which took place in 419, Ambraseys (2009) looked for other clues in the texts noting that Idatius dated the earthquake after a well dated solar eclipse in July 418 and conjecturing the earthquake took place around the time of a "fire in the sky" (comet ?) which is dated by Philostorgius in Church History (Book XII - Chapters 8 and 9) as lasting until late Autumn and preceding a number of (not specifically located) earthquakes that happened in the next year. Since the next year would presumably be late 418 CE (if Anno Mundi was used) or 419 CE, this indicates that Ambraseys (2009) date of late Autumn is flawed when using the "fire in the sky" (described in the text as a meteor) of Philostorgius as a date marker.

Textual Evidence

Text (with hotlink) Original Language Biographical Info Religion Date of Composition Location Composed Notes
Introduction
Annales by Marcellinus Comes Latin
Biography

Orthodox (Byzantium) ca. 534 CE Constantinople Marcellinus reports that many Palestinian cities were ruined by an earthquake. He dates the earthquake to the same Olympiad year that Valentinian was born. Valentinian was born on July 9, 419 AD and since the Olympiad year starts on roughly July 20 or August 20, this would date this earthquake to between July/August 418 and July/August 419. Marcellinus further places the earthquake under the heading of Monaxius and Plinta who ruled the Eastern Roman Empire in consulship in 419 AD. This further constrains the date of the earthquake to 1 January 419 to July or August 419.
Sermon XIX by Augustine of Hippo Latin
Biography

Orthodox (Byzantium) ca. 419 CE Hippo Regius in what is now Annaba, Algeria Augustine of Hippo reported in a sermon that great earthquakes are reported from the East where some great cities suddenly collapsed in ruins and Jews, Pagans and Catechumens in Jerusalem were terrified, and all were baptised.

Chronicon by Idatius (aka Hydatius) Latin
Biography

Orthodox (Byzantium) ca. 469 CE Aquae Flaviae in Gallaecia (now Portugal) Idatius reported that the holy places in Jerusalem and other areas were shaken by a terrible earthquake. Idatius states that Eulalius was bishop of Rome when the this earthquake struck. This constrains the date of the earthquake to 27 December 418 - 3 April 419 when Eulalius was the antipope in Rome. Since Marcellinus Comes dates the earthquake to the consulships of Monaxius and Plinta which was in 419 CE, this earthquake is further constrained to approximately the first quarter of 419 CE - 1 January 419 to 3 April 419.
Consularia Constantinopolitana Latin
Biography

Orthodox (Byzantium) a complex document of differing dates and hands (Burgess, 1993:175) Constantinople Consularia Constantinopolitana is essentially a list of consuls (leaders) which may show that Monaxius and Plinta ruled the Eastern Roman Empire in 419 CE and mentions a letter from Jerusalem speaking of signs and terror from God.
Philostorgius Greek
Philostorgius

Photius

Anomoean Arian Christian (a heretical sect) 425-433 CE Constantinople Background info - Philostorgius described the same 19 July 418 CE eclipse that was described by Idatius. After the eclipse, Philostorgius described a cone-shaped light which appeared in the sky which, according to Philostorgius, some erroneously mislabeled as a comet. The cone shaped apparition appeared in the sky for 4 months - first appearing in mid summer and lasting until almost the end of autumn. In the following year, Philostorgius reports that earthquakes struck accompanied by a fire that burst down from the sky (a meteorite ?). Neither the location of the earthquakes or the presumed meteorite was specified although there appears to be mention that the "meteorite" fell into the sea with the assistance of a strong wind. imcee reports a total solar eclipse on 20 July 418 CE using the Gregorian Calendar while NASA reports the same total solar eclipse on 19 July 419 CE in the Julian calendar. The map of this eclipse from imcee indicates it would have been experienced in the Iberian Peninsula and Anatolia (i.e. in Constantinople). Grumel (1958:470) lists a comet on 15 September 418 CE (lasting 7 months ?) while citing Williams (1871:31), Pingre (1783:309, 599), and Annales by Marcellinus Comes (see entry for 1 Sept. 417 - 31 Aug. 419 in Croke, 1995:12).
Text (with hotlink) Original Language Biographical Info Religion Date of Composition Location Composed Notes
Introduction

Textual accounts for this earthquake come from contemporaneous and slightly later authors all of whom were residing far from Palestine. Levenson (2004:431-432) suggests that the four sources (Augustine, Idatius, Marcellinus Comes, and the Consularia Constantinopolitana) based their commentary/report on a letter from Praulius who was the Bishop of Jerusalem in 419 CE. Levenson (2004:431-432) also suggests that there may be some conflation in these texts with descriptions of the Cyril Quake seeping into the report on the Monaxius and Plinta Quake. An excerpt from Levenson's (2004:431-432) discussion on this topic is repeated below:

A letter sent by the Jerusalem bishop reporting Palestinian earthquakes in or around 419

This letter, no longer extant, but which can be reconstructed from references to it in Augustine, Hydatius, Marcellinus Comes, and the Consularia Constantinopolitana93, shares a number of significant parallels with the letter on the rebuilding of the Temple: an address to all the churches of the world; a report of the collapse of many Palestinian cities in an earthquake; an account of the conversion and baptism of Jews and pagans followed by the appearance of the sign of the cross on the garments of those baptized. It is also possible that the letter of 419 contained an account of a procession to the Mt. of Olives, similar to the one awkwardly inserted into the Syriac letter, since Marcellinus Comes refers to a Christophany on the Mt. of Olives in his report of the events of 419.
Footnotes

93

  • Hydatius, Chronicon 71a (AD 419) (ed. A. Tranoy, Hydace. Chronique [SC 219; 1974],1:124
  • R.W. Burgess, The Chronicle of Hydatius and the Consularia Constantinopolitana [1993],86)
  • Consularia Constantinoplitana AD 419 (ed. T. Mommsen,Chronica minora 1 [MGHaa9; 1894], 246
  • Burgess, The Chronicle, 244); Augustine, Sermo 19.6 (ed. C. Lambot, [CCSL41; 1961], 258)
  • Marcellinus Comes, Chronica (ed. T. Mommsen, Chronica minora 2 [MGHaa 11; 1893], 74).
For the chronological problems of the notices in Hydatius (which appears to belong to 417) and the Consularia Constantinopolitana (which incorrectly gives John as the bishop of Jerusalem in 419), see
  • Burgess, The Chronicle, 43-44
  • 206 (cf. S. Muhlberger, The Fifth-Century Chroniclers [1990], 207).

Annales by Marcellinus Comes

Background and Biography

Background and Biography

Excerpts
English from Croke (1995)

(1 Sept. 418 — 31 Aug. 419)

2nd indiction, consulship of Monaxius and Plinta

  1. Valentinian the Younger was born at Ravenna on 3 July. Constantius was his father and Placidia his mother.
  2. Many cities and villages of Palestine collapsed in an earthquake.
  3. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is always and everywhere present, appeared from a cloud above the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem. At that time both male and female of many tribes of the neighbouring races were awe-struck, not so much by what they saw as what they heard, and believed. They were cleansed in the sacred fountain of Christ and there shone out the Saviour's cross which, through divine command, was immediately impressed on the tunics of all those baptized.

Latin

Ind. II. Monaxii et Plintae coss.

  1. Valentinianus iunior apud Rauennam patre Constantio et Placidia matre V nonas Iulias natus est.
  2. Multae Palaestinae ciuitates uillaeque terrae motu conlapsae.
  3. Dominus noster Iesus Christus semper ubique praesens et super montem oliueti Hierosolymae uicinum sese de nube manifestauit.
  4. Multae tunc utriusque sexus uicinarum gentium nationes tam uisu quam auditu perterritae atque credulae sacro Christi fonte ablutae sunt omniumque baptizatorum in tunicis crux saluatoris diuinitatis nutu extemplo inpressa refulsit.

Latin from Migne, Patrologia Latina, vol. 51 - embedded



Chronology

Year Reference Corrections Notes
1 Jan. 419 - 31 Aug. 419 CE
  • same year when Valentinian was born.
  • Monaxius and Plinta ruled
  • 2nd Indiction
none
  • Valentinian was born on 9 July 419 CE
  • I don't currently know how Marcellinus counted years. Since his Chronicle was a continuation of Eusebius' Chronicle, he could have, like Eusebius, used Olympiad Years. In any case, the indiction is the more reliable time marker - for now.
  • The 3rd year of the 299th Olympiad ran from 1 July 419 until 30 June 420 CE
  • The 2nd indiction ran from 1 Sept. 418 to 31 Aug. 419 CE (calculated using CHRONOS)
  • Monaxius and Plinta were promoted to consulship of the Eastern Roman Empire in in 419 CE (wikipedia citing Priscus, fragment 14 - Priscus, fragment 14 may be in Panium and Given, 2015)
  • These markers combined restrict the date to between 1 Jan. 419 CE and 31 Aug. 419 CE
1 Sept. 418 — 31 Aug. 419 CE
  • margin note placed by editor reads 1 Sept. 418 — 31 Aug. 419
none
  • Margin note is based on the 2nd Indiction
  • The 2nd indiction ran from 1 Sept. 418 to 31 Aug. 419 CE (calculated using CHRONOS)
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Sources

Online Versions and Further Reading
References

Sermon XIX by Augustine of Hippo

Background and Biography

Background and Biography

Excerpts
English from Guidoboni et. al. (1994)

Great earthquakes are reported from the East. Some great cities suddenly collapsed in ruins. Jews, pagans and catechumens in Jerusalem were terrified, and all were baptised.

English from Ambraseys (2009)

‘Great earthquakes are reported in the East – some great cities suddenly collapsed. Jews, pagans and catachumens were terrified in Jerusalem, and were baptised. The sign of Christ appeared on the clothes of the baptized Jews.’ (Aug. Serm. xix. 6/136).

Latin from Guidoboni et. al. (1994)

Terrae motus magni de orientalibus nuntiantur. Nonnullae magnae repentinis conlapsae sunt civitates. Territi apud Hierosolvmam qui inerant iudaei, pagani, catechumini, omnes sunt baptizati. Dicuntur fortasse baptizati septem millia hominum. Signum Christi in vestibus iudaeorum baptizatorum apparuit. Relatu fratrum fidelium constantissimo ista nuntiantur.

Chronology

Russell (1985) wrote that that Sermon XIX is undated.

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References

Chronicon by Idatius (aka Hydatius)

Background and Biography

Background and Biography

Excerpts
English from Burgess (1993)

OLYMPIAD 299

The author of this work did not know who presided over the church in Alexandria after Theophilus. (53 [6i])
Constantius took Placidia as his wife.(54 [62])

23 (Margin Note - 417 AD)

In the name of Rome Vallia, the king of the Goths, inflicted a vast slaughter upon the barbarians within Spain. (55 [63])
There was an eclipse of the sun on 19 July, which was a Thursday. (56 [64]) [JW: Actually it was on a Friday (Schove, D., Fletcher, A. (1987)]
The thirty-ninth bishop to preside over the church in Rome was Eulalius. (57 [65])
While the aforementioned bishop was still in office, the holy places in Jerusalem and other areas were shaken by a terrible earthquake. This information was revealed in the writings of this same bishop. (58 [66])

24 (Margin Note - 418 AD)

All of the Siling Vandals in Baetica were wiped out by King Vallia. (59 [67])
The Alans, who were ruling over the Vandals and Sueves, suffered such heary losses at the hands of the Goths that after the death of their king, Addax, the few survivors, with no thought for their own kingdom, placed themselves under the protection of Gunderic, the king of the Vandals, who had settled in Gallaecia. (6o [68])
The Goths broke off the campaign which they were waging and were recalled by Constantius to Gaul where they were given settlements in Aquitania from Tolosa all the way to the Ocean. (6i [69])
Vallia, the king of the Goths, died and was succeeded as king by Theoderic. (62 [70])

25 (Margin Note - 419 AD)

After a quarrel broke out between Gunderic, the king of the Vandals, and Hermeric, the king of the Sueves, the Sueves were blockaded in the Erbasian Mountains by the Vandals. (63 [71])
Valentinian, the son of Constantius and Placidia, was born. (64 [72])
Many terrifying signs which appeared in the city of Biterrae in Gallic territory are described in a widely-circulated letter of Paulinus, bishop of that same city (65 [73]).

English from Guidoboni et al. (1994)

During the episcopacy mentioned above, the Holy Places of Jerusalem and other areas were shaken by a very severe earthquake.

English from Ambraseys (2009)

During the above episcopacy, the holy places of Jerusalem as well as others were shaken by a most terrible earthquake, by which the writings of the same bishop [Zosimus, bishop of Rome] were revealed.’ (Idat. 24/878).

Latin from Burgess (1993)

CCLXLVIIII OLYMPI

Alexandrinae ecclesiae post Theofilum qui praesederit ignorauit haec scribens. (53)
Constantius Placidiam accepit uxorem. (54)
XXIII Vallia rex Gothorum Romani nominis causa intra Hispanias caedes magnas efficit barbarorum. (55)
Solis facta defectio die XIIII Id. Aug., qui fuit quinta feria. (56)

Margin Note: (xxxvnn EPS)
Romane aecclesiae XXXVIIII presidet episcopus Eulalius. (57)
Durante episcopo quo supra grauissimo terremotu sancta Hierosolimis loca quassantur et cetera, de quibus ita gestis eiusdem episcopi scripta declarant (58).

XXIIII

Vandali Silingi in Betica per Valliam regem omnes extincti. (59)
Alani, qui Vandalis et Sueuis potentabantur, adeo cesi sunt a Gothis ut extincto Addace rege ipsorum pauci qui superfuerant oblito regni nomine Gunderici regis Vandalorum, qui in Gallicia resederat, se patrocinio subiugarent. (6o)
Gothi intermisso certamine quod agebant per Constantium ad Gallias reuocati sedes in Aquitanica a Tolosa usque ad Oceanum acceperunt. (61)
Vallia eorum rege defuncto Theodoricus succedit in regno. (62)
XXV Inter Gundericum Vandolorum et Hermericum Sueuorum reges certamine orto Sueui in Erbasis montibus obsidentur ab Vandalis. (63)
Valentinianus Constantii et Placidiae filius nascitur. (64)
In Gallicana regione in ciuitate Biterris multa signa efecta terrifica Paulini episcopi eiusdem ciuitatis epistola enarrat ubique directa. (65)

Latin from Guidoboni et al. (1994)

Durante episcopo quo supra, gravissimo terrae motu sancta in Hierosolymis loca quassantur et cetera.

Latin from Hayez (1845) - embedded



Chronology
Year Reference Corrections Notes
27 December 418 - 3 April 419 CE Eulalius was bishop of Rome when the this earthquake struck none
  • Guidoboni et al (1994) notes that
    the manuscripts place Hydatius' entry under the year 418, but as A. Tranoy, the editor of the text, has shown, the scribe seems to have confused a mention of bishop John of Jerusalem (who was already dead by this time) with one of bishop Eulalius of Rome, who is referred to in paragraph 66 of the Chronicle. Tranoy dates the earthquake to 419 on the basis of evidence from Marcellinus and the Consularia Constantinopolitana.
    The error of the wrong Bishop is not present in the edition by Burgess (1993). It appears that Ambraseys (2009) did not access the edition by Burgess (1993) and either did not recognize the error of the wrong Bishop or made a poor correction as he inserted a note in his catalog entry noting that "this same bishop" was Saint Zosimus who ruled from ruled March 417 until his death on 26 December 418. This led Ambraseys (2009) to state that Idatius dated the earthquake to within the papacy (aka the bishop of Rome) of Saint Zosimus.

    Considering that Eulalius was bishop of Rome when the this earthquake struck, this constrains the date of the earthquake to 27 December 418 - 3 April 419 when Eulalius was the antipope in Rome.
1 July 417 CE to 30 June 418 CE first year of the 299th Olympiad none
  • Margin Note - 417 AD appears to be based on this Olympiad Year reckoning.
  • Cross referencing events listed in the excerpt reveal that the year could by off by as much as ± 2
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References

Consularia Constantinopolitana

Background and Biography

Background and Biography

Excerpts

The consul list for the years surrounding 419 CE are shown in tabular form below.
Latin from Burgess (1993) and English from Google, Quick Latin, and Williams

CCCCL
...
Consuls Year Additional Text (Latin) Additional Text (trans. to English)
Theodosio VII et Palladio (416) n/a n/a
Honorio XI et Constantio II (417) n/a n/a
Honorio XII et Theodosio VIII (418) n/a n/a
Monaxio et Pienta (419) HIS CONSS. sanctus Iohannes Hierosolimorum episcopus qui supra epistolam dirigit per ecclesias orbis terrarum, quae habetur de signis terroribusque diuinitus perpetratis HIS CONSS. Saint John, bishop of Jerusalem, whose letter was sent to all churches, described signs and terrors from God.
Theodosio VIIII et Constantio III (420) n/a n/a

Chronology
Year Reference Corrections Notes
419 CE Margin Note says 419 none
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References

Church History by Philostorgius

Background and Biography

Background and Biography

Philostorgius

Photius

Excerpts
English from Amidon (2007)

Book 12

...

7. When Arcadius died, his very young son Theodosius was proclaimed successor to the eastern empire. His sister Pulcheria was with him, and she assisted with the imperial subscriptions and made sure they were in order.22

8. When Theodosius had reached adolescence, on the nineteenth of July at about the eighth hour, the sun was so completely eclipsed that stars appeared. And such a drought followed this event that there was everywhere an unusually high number of deaths of human beings and animals. There appeared in the sky with the sun while in eclipse a cone-shaped light, which some out of ignorance called a comet. But it showed none of the features of a comet. For the light did not form a tail, nor was it at all like a star; rather, it resembled a great lamp-flame appearing on its own, with no star under it to form a wick for it. Its movement was also different. It began where the sun rises at the equinox, from there passed over the last star in the Bear’s tail, and went on slowly westward. But when it had traversed the sky, it disappeared, having taken more than four months to make its journey. The light sometimes stretched out to such a great length that at its apex it exceeded the proportions of a cone, while at other times it contracted to the measurements proper to that figure. And it had other portentous features that showed how it differed from the usual phenomena. It first appeared at mid-summer and lasted until almost the end of autumn.23

This was, then, yet another sign of great wars and indescribable human slaughter. And the year following there began earthquakes that it would be hard to compare to those previous,24 while along with the earthquakes a fire burst down from the sky that destroyed all hope of safety. It did not, how- ever, cause the loss of human life, for the divine benevolence sent a strong wind that drove the fire from wherever it was and blew it into the sea. And then there was a strange sight to be seen: the waves on fire far and wide as though they were a thickly vegetated landscape, until the conflagration was completely quenched by the sea.

9. In many places, when the earthquakes occurred one could see the roofs of houses separate from each other with a great noise of crashing and clattering, so that the sky became plainly visible to those inside. And then after they had been separated so far apart, they came back together and were once again so closely joined as to leave no trace of what had happened. The same accident occurred in many places to the floors as well. What happened was that those living under the grain storage rooms were smothered when the grain poured down upon them through the floor structures. And afterwards the floor fit so tightly together again that no one could see from where the lethal grain had poured.

And other such unheard-of events occurred at the time, showing that they resulted not from natural causes, as the pagans foolishly suppose, but were the lashes of divine anger.

10. He tries in various ways to show that earthquakes are caused neither by floods of water, nor by blasts of wind shut up within the hollows of the earth, nor even by any kind of shifting of the earth, but solely by the divine will for the correction and rebuke of sinners. He says that he maintains this because none of the elements just mentioned could cause such impressive phenomena by their natural power. At God’s will, however, even the smallest raindrop or lightest snowflake falling upon Olympus in Macedonia, or any other of the largest mountains, would move it easily. And God is often found using these things to chastise people. The Red Sea, for instance, which he could easily have separated at one stroke, he first lashed and pushed together with a strong south wind, and thus separated, although the south wind has no such natural power; the supernal force used it in a marvelous way to accomplish its own will. And the rod that struck the rock made springs of water flow from it, and the stream of the Jordan healed leprosy,25 although it was not their natures that enabled them to do so; it was rather their Maker, who has the great and ineluctable power to remake each created thing for whatever use he wants.
Footnotes

22. Theodosius II was seven years old when his father Arcadius died in 408; Pulcheria was nine. Their mother Eudoxia had died in 404, and power had passed in 405 into the capable hands of the praetorian prefect Anthemius, who established enduring peaceful relations with Persia at the beginning of the reign of Yezdegerd I and a settlement with the troublesome adherents of John Chrysostom. Anthemius continued in office until 414, ensuring a peaceful transition at the death of Arcadius. It was in that year that the formidable Pulcheria, then just fifteen, was named Augusta and took over the supervision of her brother’s education and control of the government (see Socrates 7.1.1; Sozomen 9.1; Theodoret, hist. eccl. 5.36.2–3; chron. pasch. P414; Marcellinus, chron. 414; George Monachus, chron. 611.5; Theophanes 156B). She could not convince Theodosius of the danger of subscribing documents unread (Zonaras 13.23.19–25) until finally, in exasperation, she placed in front of him a bill of sale of his own wife and then, when he had subscribed it with his usual carelessness, showed him what he had done (Leo Grammaticus 110.4–9; suda, Π 2145)

23. On the eclipse and the strange star, see Brooks and Chabot, chronica minora, 1.300 (a. 418); Hydatius, chron. 417; Marcellinus, chron. 418. On the shape of the star, compare 10.9.

24. On the earthquakes, see Marcellinus, chron. 419. In 12.10 Philostorgius lists the natural explanations of earthquakes in the same order as does Ammianus 17.7.11–12 (water pressure in the recesses of the earth, or subterranean winds that find no outlet, or excessive drought or rainfall that opens gaps in the earth to admit blasts of air from outside). They were the traditional ones (Aristotle, Meteorologica 2.7–8; Pliny, Nat. 2.192; Seneca, Naturales quaestiones 6.12.2). It is important to notice the trouble he takes to show that it is unreasonable to accept the natural explanations.

25. On the parting of the Red Sea, see Exod 14:21; on the water from the rock, Num 20:11; on the Jordan healing leprosy, 2 Kgs 5:14.

English from Walford (1855)

EPITOME OF BOOK XII

...

CHAP. 7.--After the death of Arcadius, his son Theodosius,216 then quite a child, is proclaimed his successor in the Eastern parts of the empire. With him lived in the palace his sister Pulcheria, who administered and directed the imperial rescripts.217

CHAP. 8.--When Theodosius had entered the years of boyhood,218 on the 19th of July, a little after noon-day, the sun was so completely eclipsed that the stars appeared ; and so great a drought followed on this eclipse that a sudden mortality carried off great multitudes both of men and of beasts in all parts. Moreover, at the time that the sun was eclipsed, a bright meteor appeared in the sky, in shape like a cone, which some persons in their ignorance called a cornet, for there was nothing like a comet in the phenomena of this meteor as it appeared. For its light did not end in a tail, nor had it any of the characteristics of a star, but it seemed like the flame of a huge lamp, subsisting by itself, with no star below it to answer to the appearance of a lamp. 219 Its track, too, was far different from that of comets. For it arose first in the east, just where the sun rises at the equinox, and then passing across the lowest star in the constellation of the Bear, crossed gradually over to the west. After measuring the whole expanse of the heavens, it at length disappeared, after it had continued its course for more than four months. Its apex, moreover, at one time was carried up to a high and narrow point, so that the meteor exceeded the length and shape of a cone, while at another time it returned to that particular form. Moreover, it showed to the eye a number of other prodigious appearances, which showed that it was different from common stars in nature. It began about midsummer, and continued |518 till nearly the end of autumn, and it was the precursor of severe wars and an incredible mortality. In the following year a series of earthquakes commenced, which cannot be easily compared with former ones. At the same time with the earthquakes, fire came down from the skies, which seemed to banish all hope of escape; however, it caused no destruction of life, for the mercy of God sent a violent wind which scattered the fire in every direction, and at length drove it into the sea. Then a new and strange sight was to be seen; --the waves of the sea burning in the day-time, like woods and forests,220 until at length the flames were extinguished in the waters.

CHAP. 9.--Moreover, in many places, immediately upon the occurrence of the earthquake, the roofs of houses were seen to be shattered with a loud crash and report, so that those who were within their walls beheld the sky above them. After this convulsion, they became joined and compacted again so closely that not a single trace of the occurrence was left. The same thing happened also to the flooring of houses in several places: granaries221 falling in upon those who dwelt below, and pouring down upon them large heaps of grain through the sudden openings ; then, again, the ground became solid and firm, so that they all began to doubt whence that fatal load of corn had fallen in upon them. Moreover, other strange and unwonted calamities of the same kind happened at this period, showing in the very clearest way that these things do not happen by a mere law and order of nature, as the heathen falsely imagine, but that they are sent down upon mankind as scourges of the Divine wrath.

Footnotes

216. Compare Sozomen, Eccl. Hist. b. ix. ch. 1.

217. shmeiw&seij. Called, in Latin, "Annotations;"' a general term for the edicts and general orders of the emperors.

218. It is agreed on all hands that the eclipse of the sun mentioned below, happened in the twelfth consulship of Honorius, and the eighth of Theodosius, that is, A. D. 418. Theodosius, accordingly, was at this time in his eighteenth year, having been born A. D. 401.

219. qru&allij. Compare Aristoph. Nub. 59, 585.

220. la&sia xw&ria. "Regiones quasi arborum comis densoc et horrentes."

221. sitobolw~nej. The equivalent to "horrea," according to Hesychius.

Chronology

Philostorgius described the same 19 July 418 CE eclipse that was described by Idatius. After the eclipse, Philostorgius described a cone-shaped light which appeared in the sky which, according to Philostorgius, some erroneously mislabeled as a comet. The cone shaped apparition appeared in the sky for 4 months - first appearing in mid summer and lasting until almost the end of autumn. In the following year, Philostorgius reports that earthquakes struck accompanied by a fire that burst down from the sky (a meteorite ?). Neither the location of the earthquakes or the presumed meteorite was specified although there appears to be mention that the "meteorite" fell into the sea with the assistance of a strong wind. imcee reports a total solar eclipse on 20 July 418 CE using the Gregorian Calendar while NASA reports the same total solar eclipse on 19 July 419 CE in the Julian calendar. The map of this eclipse from imcee indicates it would have been experienced in the Iberian Peninsula and Anatolia (i.e. in Constantinople). Grumel (1958:470) lists a comet on 15 September 418 CE (lasting 7 months ?) while citing Williams (1871:31), Pingre (1783:309, 599), and Annales by Marcellinus Comes (see entry for 1 Sept. 417 - 31 Aug. 419 in Croke, 1995:12).

Online Versions and Further Reading
References

Philostorgius

Photius

Archaeoseismic Evidence

Location (with hotlink) Status Intensity Notes
Khirbet Shema possible to unlikely Phase 4 earthquake - Late Roman/Early Byzantine - Although excavators Meyers, Kraabel, and Strange (1976) identified two earthquake events ( Eusebius' Martyr Quake of ~306 CE and Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE) which destroyed a Synagogue I and then a Synagogue II at Khirbet Shema, subsequent authors ( e.g. Russell, 1980 and Magness, 1997) re-examined their chronology and redated the earthquake evidence. Russell (1980) redated the two earthquake events to the northern Cyril Quake of 363 CE and the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE while Magness (1997) concluded that there was no solid evidence for the existence of a Synagogue I on the site and evidence for an earthquake event in ~306 CE was lacking. She posited that Synagogue II was constructed in the late 4th to early 5th century CE and concluded that there was no solid evidence for the 419 CE (or 363 CE) earthquake as well. In Magness (1997) interpretation of the evidence, she suggested that the site had been abandoned when an earthquake brought down Synagogue II sometime before the 8th century CE.

Meyers, Kraabel, and Strange (1976) archeoseismic evidence for the 2nd earthquake, the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE, appears to be shaky. It is based on a lacuna of coin evidence starting in 408 CE and lasting for the last three quarters of the 5th century CE. They suggest this indicates abandonment of the site during this time period and in turn suggest that abandonment was likely due to the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE. Magness (1997: 217-218) provided a number of reasons why she classifies this as a dangerous argument from silence.
Khorazin possible 419 CE Earthquake - Potentially debated Chronology - Russell (1985) relates that it has been suggested that the early 5th century destruction evidence at Khorazin relates to this earthquake (Yeivin, 1973: 157 - in hebrew). Jones (2021) reports that Magness has disputed archaeological evidence for this earthquake at Khorazin and other sites in the Galilee (1997: 217-18; 2005: 8-10; 2007: 271-72; 2012: 113-14).
Banias possible ≥ 7 Phase IV Destruction Layer - 5th century CE - Wilson (2004:110) reports that the "Byzantine Street" had fallen victim to a huge fire, and their floors, once a thick layer of ash had been removed, yielded large numbers of crushed storage jars, jugs, bowls, vessels of glass, tools (including a set of scales) and many coins adding that all of these were dated to the fourth and fifth centuries. Wilson (2004:110) noted that it was not clear whether the destruction was the result of one of the great earthquakes of the period, or some other local disaster.
Aphek/Antipatris possible ≥ 7 Byzantine Earthquake - 4th-5th century CE - Questions on Chronology - Karcz and Kafri (1978: 244-245) reported that tilted and distorted walls and subsiding arches were encountered in the excavations of the Byzantine town of Antipatris (Aphek) which led Kochavi (1976) and Kochavi (personal communication to Karcz) to attribute the end and decay of the town to the earthquake of 419 AD. In his preliminary report on excavations Kochavi (1975) reported that very little was uncovered in the Early Byzantine Period and suggested that Byzantine Antipatris, as a city of any importance, probably came to its end around the beginning of the 5th century B.C.E. while Kochavi (1981) reports that the entire city of Antipatris was destroyed by an earthquake in 419 CE. Golan (2008) does not present any earthquake evidence but mentions that Kochavi thought that the city was destroyed by the Cyril Quake of 363 CE.
The fact that most of the coins dated to the second half of the fourth century CE suggests that the cardo may have been abandoned at the beginning of the Byzantine period, which seems to corroborate the excavators’ conclusions (Kochavi 1989) that assumed the city was destroyed in the year 363 CE.
The latest coins reported by Kochavi (1975), apparently come from the Early Byzantine level, dated to Constantine the Great (308-337 C.E.), Constantius II (337-361 C.E.), and Arcadius (395-408 C.E.).

Jones (2021) added
Caution must be exercised in interpreting the numismatic data, however, as the ceramic fords included PRS 3 forms dating to the mid-5th-6th century (Golan 2008: fig. 5.5-6). More troubling is the apparent presence of `Mefjar ware' (i.e. Islamic Cream Ware), which dates no earlier than the late 7th century (see Walmsley 2001), in the `earthquake stratum' (Neidinger 1982: 167). This may indicate multiple destructions, but without more complete publication of the excavations, this is difficult to evaluate. It is, however, worth noting the presence of a bishop of Antipatris at the Council of Chalcedon in 451 (Dauphin 2000; Frankel and Kochavi 2000: 23, 31). This may be explained, as Fischer (1989: 1806) suggests, by assuming that the role of Antipatris `was filled with a great number of smaller settlements' like Khirbat Dhikrin (Zikrin) after the 418/419 earthquake, but it is equally likely that Antipatris was simply not abandoned in the early 5th century.
Tiberias - Introduction n/a n/a n/a
Tiberias - Hammath Tiberias possible Stratum IIA Earthquake (?) - 5th century CE or later - Magness (2005) reports that in his excavation reports, Moshe Dothan interprets the evidence to indicate that the synagogue of Stratum IIA was destroyed in the 419 CE Monaxius and Plinta Quake however Magness (2005) dates for Stratum IIA are that it was built in the late 4th to early 5th centuries CE and occupied until the 3rd quarter of 5th century or later.
Khirbet Wadi Hamam possible 419 CE Earthquake - NEEDS INVESTIGATION - Jones (2021) reports that evidence for the Monaxius and Plinta Earthquake of 419 CE has been reported at Khirbet Wadi Hamam by Leibner and Arubas (2018: 97).
En Hazeva possible ≥ 8 Earthquake from 324 CE to early 6th century CE - Although Erickson-Gini and Moore Bekes (2019) attributed seismic damage dated to between 324 CE and the 6th century CE to the southern Cyril Quake of 363 CE, their bracketed dates entertain the possibility that the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE is also responsible for the observed seismic damage. Erickson-Gini and Moore Bekes (2019) report that coins below collapsed arches in Room 45 provide an apparent terminus post quem of 324 CE while coins above an associated floor date from the first half of the 4th century to the early 6th century CE. Erickson-Gini and Moore Bekes (2019) discussed the structural history of the site as follows:
Three phases of construction and occupation were identified in the camp (Erickson-Gini 2010:97–99). The camp appears to have been built around the time that the Diocletianic fort was constructed on the tell, in the late third or early fourth century CE. It was devastated in the earthquake of 363 CE, which damaged the bathhouse and the fort as well. The camp was subsequently reconstructed and remained in use until the sometime in the sixth century CE.
Avdat/Oboda possible ≥ 8 The previous earthquake - The previous earthquake of Korjenkov and Mazor (1999) was dated by Negev (1989) to between ~300 CE and 541 CE and by Erickson-Gini (2014) to the early 5th century. An early 5th century date may suggest the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE while Negev (1989)'s wider date range entertains the possibility that damage was caused by the Fire in the Sky Quake of 502 CE or the hypothesized Negev Quake of ~500 CE. Korjenkov and Mazor (1999) did not produce an Intensity estimate for the previous earthquake. The Intensity estimate presented here is based on seismic effects associated with rebuilding. A Ridge Effect is likely present at Avdat.
Mampsis possible ≥ 8 First Earthquake - Early Byzantine ? - Mampsis suffers from a problematic and some times debated chronology - Mampsis suffers from a problematic and some times debated chronology [e.g., Magness (2003) vs. Negev (1974:412, 1988)]. Negev (1974) dated the 'first' earthquake observed by Korzhenkov and Mazor (2003) to late 3rd/early 4th century via coins and church architectural styles however he dated construction of the East Church, where some archaeoseismic evidence for the 'first' earthquake was found, to the 2nd half of the 4th century CE - which seems like a contradiction. Although neither of these dates allows for seismic damage due to the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE, archaeoseismic chronology in the Negev has a history of changes and Mampsis seems like a site that is particularly susceptible to changing chronological perceptions. Korzhenkov and Mazor (2003) characterized this as a strong earthquake with an epicenter at the north, and an EMS-98 scale intensity of IX or more. They also opined that the epicenter was some distance away. Kamai and Hatzor (2005) and Kamai and Hatzor (2007) estimated an Intensity of ~7 - ~8 based on DDA analysis of a dropped keystone in an arch in Mampsis.
Haluza possible ≥ 8 1st Earthquake - late 3rd - mid 6th century CE - perhaps around 500 CE - Korjenkov and and Mazor (2005) surmised that the first earthquake struck in the Byzantine period between the end of the 3rd and the mid-6th centuries A.D.. This was based on dates provided by Negev (1989). The Intensity estimate presented here is based on Seismic Effects categorized as Earthquake Damage Restorations by Korjenkov and and Mazor (2005)
Yotvata possible to probable ≥ 8 Post Roman Legion Abandonment Earthquake - 5th century CE - Davies et al (2015) dated a seismic destruction layer at at a Roman Fort in Yotvata to soon after the Fort was systematically abandoned in the early 5th century. An ephemeral Byzantine period occupation was established on top of the collapse, without any attempt at leveling. They noted that although the ensuing ephemeral Byzantine period occupation was undated due to a lack of recovered pottery, significant sediment accumulated between the Byzantine layer and the well dated Early Islamic layer suggesting that these two layers are a century or two apart.
Petra - Introduction n/a n/a n/a
Petra - Wadi Sabra Theater possible ≥ 8 Phase 4 earthquake - Late Roman/Early Byzantine - Tholbecq et al (2019) uncovered a Phase 4 destruction layer. Phase 4 occurs at a date still undetermined (Late Roman period or Byzantine but not later). They added
We do not know when the destruction of the northern masonry of the orchestra occurred, at the level of the old corridor, rebuilt using the stone seats during the previous phase. However, this destruction is directly posed, both in hole 2 and in hole 7, on the embankments of the 3rd-4th centuries CE; we can therefore deduce that this event (earthquake?) occurs shortly after the late Roman period, or even during this period. The monument will no longer be occupied after this phase, being marked only by natural horizons of aeolian and alluvial sediments.
Petra - Jabal Khubthah possible ≥ 8 End of Phase 3 Earthquake - 5th or 6th centuries CE - The End of Phase 3 Earthquake was dated to the 5th or 6th centuries CE. Fiema in Tholbecq et al (2019) encountered difficulties in dating this presumed seismic destruction and suggested that the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE or a later earthquake was responsible.
Petra - ez Zantur possible ≥ 8 5th-6th Century CE Earthquake - Debated Chronology - Excavators dated a seismic destruction to the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE. Jones (2021) argues that this date is likely too early and that the late 6th century CE Inscription at Areopolis Quake is a plausible candidate.
Petra - Urn Tomb possible 5th-6th Century CE Earthquake - Debated Chronology - Jones (2021) argues that al-Zantur I Spatromisch II ceramics, rather than dating from 363 CE - 419 CE, should date to at least a century later. If true, this would negate archaeoseismic evidence for an earthquake reported in 419 CE (i.e. the Monaxius and Plinta Quake) at ez-Zantur and other sites in Petra such as in a structure outside the Urn Tomb, and in Structure I of the NEPP Project. Jones (2021) suggests instead that the causitive earthquake was more likely the late 6th century CE Inscription At Areopolis Quake. Jones (2021) provides a discussion below:
Within Petra, the 418/419 earthquake has been suggested as the cause for the destruction of three structures:
  • al-Zantur I, specifically the end of Bauphase Spatromisch II
  • one of the structures outside of the Urn Tomb, House II
  • North-Eastern Petra Project (NEPP) Structure I
At the Urn Tomb, a 363 earthquake destruction has been suggested for a cave below the tomb (Zayadine 1974: 138) as well as House II, which was partially rebuilt afterwards and by the 6th century was being `used as a quarry' (Zeitler 1993: 256-57). Taking this quarrying as evidence for a 5th century abandonment of House II, Kolb (2000: 230; 2007: 154-55) suggests a second destruction in the 418/419 earthquake, primarily based on analogy to al-Zantur I. As only a preliminary report has appeared for House II, it is not possible to evaluate the archaeological evidence for this attribution, but a 5th century abandonment of House II may instead be related to the modification of the Urn Tomb for use as a church in 446 (Bikai 2002: 271).
Petra - NEPP site possible 5th-6th Century CE Earthquake - Debated Chronology - Fiema and Schmid (2014:429-430) suggest that Structure 1 in the NEPP area was destroyed by the 363 earthquake, but later restored although in much altered form and appearance with final destruction and abandonment taking place afterwards, perhaps sometime in the early 5th century. They suggest final destruction and abandonment may have been due to the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE. Jones (2021) argues that al-Zantur I Spatromisch II ceramics, rather than dating from 363 CE - 419 CE, should date to at least a century later. If true, this would negate archaeoseismic evidence for an earthquake reported in 419 CE (i.e. the Monaxius and Plinta Quake) at ez-Zantur and other sites in Petra such as in a structure outside the Urn Tomb, and in Structure I of the NEPP Project. Jones (2021) suggests instead that the causitive earthquake was more likely the late 6th century CE Inscription At Areopolis Quake. Jones (2021) provides a discussion below:
Within Petra, the 418/419 earthquake has been suggested as the cause for the destruction of three structures:
  • al-Zantur I, specifically the end of Bauphase Spatromisch II
  • one of the structures outside of the Urn Tomb, House II
  • North-Eastern Petra Project (NEPP) Structure I
NEPP Structure I has not been excavated, and the claim that it was destroyed in the 418/419 earthquake is based on surface finds and reference to al-Zantur I (Fiema and Schmid 2014: 431). Without excavation, the actual date and nature of the building's destruction remain uncertain. The claim for damage at Petra related to the 418/419 earthquake rests primarily, therefore, on the evidence from al-Zantur I.
Khirbet Tannur possible ≥ 8 End of Period III Earthquake - 3rd-4th centuries CE - McKenzie et al (2013) suggested that the End of Period III seismic damage (3rd -4th centuries CE) was caused by the southern Cyril Quake but the Monaxius and Plinta Quake is also a possible candidate.
Location (with hotlink) Status Intensity Notes
Khirbet Shema



Khorazin



Banias



Antipatris aka Aphek



Tiberias - Introduction



Hammath Tiberias - Synagogue



Khirbet Wadi Hamam



En Hazeva



Avdat



Mampsis



Haluza



Yotvata



Petra - Introduction



Petra - Wadi Sabra Theater



Petra - Jabal Khubthah



Petra - ez-Zantur



Petra - Urn Tomb



Petra - NEPP Site



Khirbet Tannur



Tsunamogenic Evidence

Paleoseismic Evidence

Location (with hotlink) Status Intensity Notes
al-Harif Syria possible ≥ 7
MW = 7.3-7.6
(based on 4.2 m of slip)
Sbeinati et. al. (2010) report a seismic event X which they dated to 335 AD ± 175 years at a displaced aqueduct at al-Harif, Syria (close to Masyaf, Syria).
Bet Zayda no evidence ≥ 7 Wechsler at al. (2014) did not see any evidence for this earthquake in paleoseismic trenches just north of the Sea of Galilee (aka Lake Kinneret).
Dead Sea - Seismite Types n/a n/a
Dead Sea - ICDP Core 5017-1 possible 6 Lu et al (2020) associated a turbidite in the core to the Monaxius and Plinta Quake. CalBP is reported as 1513 +/47. This works out to a date of 437 CE with a 1σ bound of 390-484 CE. Ages come from Kitagawa et al (2017). The deposit is described as a 2.7 cm. thick turbidite (MMD). Lu et al (2020) estimated local seismic intensity of VI which they converted to Peak Horizontal Ground Acceleration (PGA) of 0.09 g. Dr. Yin Lu relates that "this estimate was based on previous studies of turbidites around the world (thickness vs. MMI)" ( Moernaut et al (2014). The turbidite was identified in the depocenter composite core 5017-1 (Holes A-H).
Dead Sea - En Feshka possible 7.9-8.8 Kagan et. al. (2011) identified two seismites at En Feshka which might match with the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE.
Top Depth (cm.) Thickness (cm.) Seismite Type Modeled Age (± 1σ) Modeled Age (± 2σ)
220 2 4 462 AD +/- 54 452 AD +/- 118
228 1 4 430 AD ± 58 422 AD ± 126
Dead Sea - En Gedi possible 5.6-7 Migowski et. al. (2004) assigned a 419 CE date to 0.5 cm. thick seismite at a depth of 237 cm (2.37 m). Williams et. al.(2012) varve counted part of the same 1997 GFZ/GSI core that Migowski et. al. (2004) worked on and produced an estimate of varve count uncertainty based on distance from a well dated "anchor" earthquakes which in this case are the Josephus Quake of 31 BC and the Sabbatical Year Quake of 747/749 CE. These anchor quakes are between 329 and 394 years away from the Cyril Quake of 363 CE and/or the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE. Assuming a worst case scenario of 394 years, the 8% varve count error estimated by Williams et al (2012) constrains Migowski et. al.'s (2004) 419 CE to +/-32 years - i.e. between 387 and 451 CE. Two conclusions can be drawn.

  1. Migowski et. al.'s (2004) varve count suggests they identified a seismite caused by the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE.
  2. The Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE would not likely have masked or overprinted the Cyril Quake seismite of 363 CE indicating that the Cyril Quake did not produce a seismite in En Gedi. Simple calculations supporting this are shown below. This is consistent with Migowski et al (2004: Table 2) which did not list a 363 CE seismite being masked or overprinted by a 419 CE seismite.
Calculations

Migowski et al (2004) report the 419 CE seismite at a depth of 2.3716 m with a thickness of 0.5 cm. They report the ~175 CE seismite at a depth of 2.5562 m. A simple calculation reveals that in this part of the core, 1 cm. of sediment represents ~13 years of time. As 363 CE is 56 years earlier than 419 CE, it should be ~4 cm deeper and thus ~3.5 cm. below the bottom of the 0.5 cm. thick 419 CE seismite. It should not have been masked or overprinted.

Dead Sea - Nahal Ze 'elim possible 8.0-8.9 (ZA-1)

8.1-8.9 (ZA-2)
There has been an ongoing debate since the start of the millennium whether a seismite in Nahal Ze 'elim should be assigned to the southern Cyril Quake of 363 CE or to the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE.

Ken-Tor et al. (2001a) assigned a 4 cm. thick Type 4 seismite dated to 358-580 CE (± 2σ) and labeled as Event D in Nahal Ze 'elim (ZA-1) to the 363 CE Cyril Quake Seismite as did Williams (2004). Neither Ken-Tor et al. (2001a) nor Williams (2004) were aware at the time that the Cyril Quake was a result of two earthquakes with northern and southern epicenters; just that the damage reports were so widespread that it was doubtful that one earthquake could have produced so much destruction. Considering the possibility that textual reports overstated the damage, this cast significant uncertainty in determining which date to assign to the seismite. Williams (2004) estimated that that the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE was unlikely to produce sufficient shaking to form a seismite in Nahal Ze 'elim which is why he rejected that earthquake for Event D. At the time, he was relying on Russell (1980) whose article suggested an epicenter north of the Sea of Galilee. This may not have been a good assumption. He also noted that at the time three authors (Abou Karaki, 1987, Ben-Menahem et. al, 1981, and Galli and Galadini, 2001) had placed the epicenter of the 363 CE Cyril Quake to the south in the Araba. Other authors had estimated that the epicenter was in the north due to the many northern cities listed in Cyril's letter (Brock, 1977).

At ZA-2, Kagan et. al. (2011) assigned a 5 cm. thick intraclast breccia at a depth of 342 cm (Modeled Age ±1σ - 453 CE ± 67, ±2σ - 456 CE ± 86). to the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE. this appears to be the same seismite Ken-Tor (2001a) labeled as Event D at ZA-1. Kagan et al (2011) likely assigned a 419 CE date because it better fits with the modeled ages. Bookman (nee Ken-Tor) co-authored a paper in 2010 ( Leroy et. al., 2010) which maintained a 363 CE date for Event D.

Because Migowski et. al. (2004) had used varve counting in the En Gedi core to assign a seismite to the 419 CE earthquake rather than the 363 CE Cyril Quake, there was doubt whether the 363 CE Cyril Quake had created seismites in the Southern Dead Sea.

Because the southern Cyril Quake produced fatalities in nearby Ghor-es-Safi, Jordan (see Archeoseismic evidence for the Cyril Quake), it seems likely that the southern Cyril Quake produced a seismite in Nahal Ze 'elim however there is a significantly better radiocarbon match with the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE and thus the correct Quake assignment remains unresolved.
Araba - Introduction n/a n/a n/a
Araba - Taybeh Trench possible ≥ 7 LeFevre et al. (2018) might have seen evidence for this earthquake in the Taybeh Trench (Event E3 - Modeled Age 551 AD ± 264).
Araba - Qatar Trench possible ≥ 7 Klinger et. al. (2015) identified a seismic event (E6) in a trench near Qatar, Jordan in the Arava which they modeled between 9 BCE and 492 CE. The large spread in age caused them to consider two possible earthquakes as the cause; the Incense Road Quake between 110 CE and 114 CE and the southern Cyril Earthquake of 363 CE. They preferred the Cyril Earthquake of 363 CE based on weighing other evidence not related to their paleoseismic study and noted that further investigation was required. Although they did not consider the Monaxius and Plinta Earthquake of 419 CE as a possibility, it fits within their modeled ages.
Location (with hotlink) Status Intensity Notes
Displaced Aqueduct at al Harif, Syria

Sbeinati et. al. (2010) report a seismic event X which they dated to 335 AD ± 175 years at a displaced aqueduct at al-Harif, Syria (close to Masyaf, Syria).



Bet Zayda (aka Beteiha)

Wechsler at al. (2014) did not see any evidence for this earthquake in paleoseismic trenches just north of the Sea of Galilee (aka Lake Kinneret).



Dead Sea - Seismite Types



Dead Sea - ICDP Core 5017-1

Lu et al (2020) associated a turbidite in the core to the Monaxius and Plinta Quake. CalBP is reported as 1513 +/47. This works out to a date of 437 CE with a 1σ bound of 390-484 CE. Ages come from Kitagawa et al (2017). The deposit is described as a 2.7 cm. thick turbidite (MMD). Lu et al (2020) estimated local seismic intensity of VI which they converted to Peak Horizontal Ground Acceleration (PGA) of 0.09 g. Dr. Yin Lu relates that "this estimate was based on previous studies of turbidites around the world (thickness vs. MMI)" ( Moernaut et al (2014). The turbidite was identified in the depocenter composite core 5017-1 (Holes A-H).

See the following from Lu et al (2020b) regarding estimating intensity from turbidites:

Previous studies have revealed that the intensity threshold for triggering historic turbidites are variable in different regions and range from MMI V½ to VII½ (Howarth et al., 2014; Moernaut, 2020; Van Daele et al., 2015; Wilhelm et al., 2016). The intensity threshold constrained from the Dead Sea data (≥VI½) is situated in the middle of this range.

Previous studies in Chilean lakes have indicated that the (cumulative) thickness of historic turbidites across multiple cores correlates with seismic intensity, and can thus be used to infer paleo-intensities in this setting (Moernaut et al., 2014). However, in the case of the Dead Sea core 5017-1, there is a random relationship (a correlation factor of 0.04) between the thickness of prehistoric turbidites and seismic intensity (Figure 5a).


Dead Sea - En Feshka

Kagan et. al. (2011) identified two seismites at En Feshka which might match with the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE.

Top Depth (cm.) Thickness (cm.) Seismite Type Modeled Age (± 1σ) Modeled Age (± 2σ)
220 2 4 462 AD +/- 54 452 AD +/- 118
228 1 4 430 AD ± 58 422 AD ± 126




Dead Sea - En Gedi

Migowski et. al. (2004) assigned a 419 CE date to 0.5 cm. thick seismite at a depth of 237 cm (2.37 m). Williams et. al.(2012) varve counted part of the same 1997 GFZ/GSI core that Migowski et. al. (2004) worked on and produced an estimate of varve count uncertainty based on distance from a well dated "anchor" earthquakes which in this case are the Josephus Quake of 31 BC and the Sabbatical Year Quake of 747/749 CE. These anchor quakes are between 329 and 394 years away from the Cyril Quake of 363 CE and/or the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE. Assuming a worst case scenario of 394 years, the 8% varve count error estimated by Williams et al (2012) constrains Migowski et. al.'s (2004) 419 CE to +/-32 years - i.e. between 387 and 451 CE. Two conclusions can be drawn.

  1. Migowski et. al.'s (2004) varve count suggests they identified a seismite caused by the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE.
  2. The Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE would not likely have masked or overprinted the Cyril Quake seismite of 363 CE indicating that the Cyril Quake did not produce a seismite in En Gedi. Simple calculations supporting this are shown below. This is consistent with Migowski et al (2004: Table 2) which did not list a 363 CE seismite being masked or overprinted by a 419 CE seismite.
Calculations

Migowski et al (2004) report the 419 CE seismite at a depth of 2.3716 m with a thickness of 0.5 cm. They report the ~175 CE seismite at a depth of 2.5562 m. A simple calculation reveals that in this part of the core, 1 cm. of sediment represents ~13 years of time. As 363 CE is 56 years earlier than 419 CE, it should be ~4 cm deeper and thus ~3.5 cm. below the bottom of the 0.5 cm. thick 419 CE seismite. It should not have been masked or overprinted.





Dead Sea - Nahal Ze 'elim

There has been an ongoing debate since the start of the millennium whether a seismite in Nahal Ze 'elim should be assigned to the southern Cyril Quake of 363 CE or to the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE.

Ken-Tor et al. (2001a) assigned a 4 cm. thick Type 4 seismite dated to 358-580 CE (± 2σ) and labeled as Event D in Nahal Ze 'elim (ZA-1) to the 363 CE Cyril Quake Seismite as did Williams (2004). Neither Ken-Tor et al. (2001a) nor Williams (2004) were aware at the time that the Cyril Quake was a result of two earthquakes with northern and southern epicenters; just that the damage reports were so widespread that it was doubtful that one earthquake could have produced so much destruction. Considering the possibility that textual reports overstated the damage, this cast significant uncertainty in determining which date to assign to the seismite. Williams (2004) estimated that that the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE was unlikely to produce sufficient shaking to form a seismite in Nahal Ze 'elim which is why he rejected that earthquake for Event D. At the time, he was relying on Russell (1980) whose article suggested an epicenter north of the Sea of Galilee. This may not have been a good assumption. He also noted that at the time three authors (Abou Karaki, 1987, Ben-Menahem et. al, 1981, and Galli and Galadini, 2001) had placed the epicenter of the 363 CE Cyril Quake to the south in the Araba. Other authors had estimated that the epicenter was in the north due to the many northern cities listed in Cyril's letter (Brock, 1977).

At ZA-2, Kagan et. al. (2011) assigned a 5 cm. thick intraclast breccia at a depth of 342 cm (Modeled Age ±1σ - 453 CE ± 67, ±2σ - 456 CE ± 86). to the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE. this appears to be the same seismite Ken-Tor (2001a) labeled as Event D at ZA-1. Kagan et al (2011) likely assigned a 419 CE date because it better fits with the modeled ages. Bookman (nee Ken-Tor) co-authored a paper in 2010 ( Leroy et. al., 2010) which maintained a 363 CE date for Event D.

Because Migowski et. al. (2004) had used varve counting in the En Gedi core to assign a seismite to the 419 CE earthquake rather than the 363 CE Cyril Quake, there was doubt whether the 363 CE Cyril Quake had created seismites in the Southern Dead Sea.

Now, however, armed with the knowledge that the Cyril Quakes had northern and southern epicenters and that the southern Cyril Quake produced fatalities in nearby Ghor-es-Safi, Jordan (see Archeoseismic evidence for the Cyril Quake), it can more confidently be stated that the southern Cyril Quake likely did produce a seismite in Nahal Ze 'elim. However, the mystery of Kagan et. al.'s (2011) radiocarbon match with the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE still remains.

Because Migowski et. al. (2004) had used varve counting in the En Gedi core to assign a seismite to the 419 CE earthquake rather than the 363 CE Cyril Quake, there was doubt whether the 363 CE Cyril Quake had created seismites in the Southern Dead Sea.

Because the southern Cyril Quake produced fatalities in nearby Ghor-es-Safi, Jordan (see Archeoseismic evidence for the Cyril Quake), it seems likely that the southern Cyril Quake produced a seismite in Nahal Ze 'elim however there is a significantly better radiocarbon match with the Monaxius and Plinta Quake of 419 CE and thus the correct Quake assignment remains unresolved.



Araba - Introduction



Araba - Taybeh Trench

LeFevre et al. (2018) might have seen evidence for this earthquake in the Taybeh Trench (Event E3 - Modeled Age 551 AD ± 264).



Araba - Qatar Trench

Klinger et. al. (2015) identified a seismic event (E6) in a trench near Qatar, Jordan in the Arava which they modeled between 9 BCE and 492 CE. The large spread in age caused them to consider two possible earthquakes as the cause; the Incense Road Quake between 110 CE and 114 CE and the southern Cyril Earthquake of 363 CE. They preferred the Cyril Earthquake of 363 CE based on weighing other evidence not related to their paleoseismic study and noted that further investigation was required. Although they did not consider the Monaxius and Plinta Earthquake of 419 CE as a possibility, it fits within their modeled ages.



Notes

Ambraseys (2009)

AD 418 Palestine

A damaging earthquake in Palestine ruined many towns and villages, which are not given by name, and in Jerusalem the earthquake must have been strongly felt, insofar as it is said that the ensuing terror prompted many non-Christians to be baptised.

The villages of Khirbet Shema’ and Khorazin, near Gush Halav in northern Galilee, may have been affected by this earthquake, but the evidence is very tenuous.

Marcellinus Comes places this event during the consulships of Monaxius and Plinta, in the second indiction, AD 419, whereas Idatius claims that ‘the holy places of Jerusalem as well as others were shaken by a most terrible earthquake’ during the papacy of St Zosimus (March 417 to December 418).

In fact the earthquake happened in the second indiction during the consulship of Monaxius and Plinta (AD 419; Cons. Const. i. 240), and it is mentioned after the solar eclipse (Philostorg. xii. 8–9) of 19 July 418 (Schove and Fletcher 1987, 72–73, 290) at about the time of the appearance of fire in the sky (Philostorg. xii. 8–9), which is probably an allusion to the comet of September 418 (Schove and Fletcher 1987, 72–73, 290). These chronological elements suggest a date late in AD 418, probably in September or October.

Saint Augustine, who was contemporary with the event, claims that ‘great cities collapsed’, although it is possible that this is poetic licence because it appears in the course of a sermon and is recorded in no other extant source. He speaks of terror in Jerusalem, but does not mention any damage.

Marcellinus’s unique assertion that towns and villages in Palestine collapsed prompts Russell to associate with this earthquake the destruction of the Northern Galilean villages of Khirbet Shema’ and Khorazin (Russell 1981, 14ff.). While this statement of Marcellinus is certainly unusual, since most chroniclers are concerned only with major towns or districts, it is hardly surprising that villages were damaged, for this earthquake affected an entire area. Nevertheless, in the fourth excavated stratum at Khirbet Shema’, which contained evidence that the synagogue had collapsed, the latest coins found dated from AD 408 (Meyers et al. 1976, 6, 37ff., 81, 112, 258), while around the remains of the synagogue at Khorazin the latest coins found dated from the early fifth century AD, although it is possible that the Khorazin synagogue collapsed much earlier (Yeivin 1973, 27). Archaeological evidence (Russell 1985) for the effects of the earthquake in Palestine is in need of authentication.

Notes

‘Ind. 2, consulships of Monaxius and Plintas. Many towns and villages in Palestine collapsed in an earthquake.’ (Marc. Com. 924).

‘During the above episcopacy, the holy places of Jerusalem as well as others were shaken by a most terrible earthquake, by which the writings of the same bishop [Zosimus, bishop of Rome] were revealed.’ (Idat. 24/878).

‘Great earthquakes are reported in the East – some great cities suddenly collapsed. Jews, pagans and catachumens were terrified in Jerusalem, and were baptised. The sign of Christ appeared on the clothes of the baptized Jews.’ (Aug. Serm. xix. 6/136).

References

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

Guidoboni et al (1994)

(171) 419 Jerusalem, •Palestine

sources

literature catalogues In his Sermons, Augustine mentions various earthquakes in Palestine as a result of which thousands of people were baptised:
"Great earthquakes are reported from the East. Some great cities suddenly collapsed in ruins. Jews, pagans and catechumens in Jerusalem were terrified, and all were baptised. It is said that perhaps as many as seven thousand people were baptised. The sign of Christ appeared on the clothes of baptised Jews. These things were told in a thoroughly reliable report by our brothers in the faith".
Terrae motus magni de orientalibus nuntiantur. Nonnullae magnae repentinis conlapsae sunt civitates. Territi apud Hierosolvmam qui inerant iudaei, pagani, catechumini, omnes sunt baptizati. Dicuntur fortasse baptizati septem millia hominum. Signum Christi in vestibus iudaeorum baptizatorum apparuit. Relatu fratrum fidelium constantissimo ista nuntiantur.
According to Marcellinus:
"Many towns and villages in Palestine were reduced to ruins in an earthquake".
Multae Palaestinae civitates villaeque terrae motu conlapsae.
Hydatius reports:
"During the episcopacy mentioned above, the Holy Places of Jerusalem and other areas were shaken by a very severe earthquake".
Durante episcopo quo supra, gravissimo terrae motu sancta in Hierosolymis loca quassantur et cetera.
The manuscripts place Hydatius' entry under the year 418, but as A.Tranoy, the editor of the text, has shown, the scribe seems to have confused a mention of bishop John of Jerusalem (who was already dead by this time) with one of bishop Eulalius of Rome, who is referred to in paragraph 66 of the Chronicle. Tranoy dates the earthquake to 419 on the basis of evidence from Marcellinus and the Consularia Constantinopolitana. For archaeologists' identification of sites where the earthquake struck, see Russell (1985, pp.42-3).

References

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

Paleoclimate - Droughts

References