464 BC Sparta earthquake

Coordinates: 37°05′N 22°26′E / 37.08°N 22.43°E / 37.08; 22.43
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"Sparta earthquake" redirects here. For the 2020 event, see 2020 Sparta earthquake.
464 BC Sparta earthquake
Ms
Epicenter37°05′N 22°26′E / 37.08°N 22.43°E / 37.08; 22.43[1]
Areas affectedSparta, Greece
Casualtiesup to 20,000

The 464 BC Spartan earthquake occurred along the Sparta fault in the year 464 BC destroying much of what was Sparta and many other city-states in ancient Greece. Historical sources suggest that the death toll may have been as high as 20,000, although modern scholars suggest that this figure is likely an exaggeration. The earthquake gave Spartan helots an opportunity to revolt against their aristocratic rulers, and the Athenians were called to their aid. Their immediate dismissal upon arrival is said to have been a key event that lead up to the First Peloponnesian War.[2][3]

Tectonic setting

Seismicity around Greece between 1990-2000

Sparta was located on what is currently called the Hellenic arc which is predisposed to large seismic activity due to the convergence and subduction of the African Plate beneath the Aegean Sea Plate.[4][5] The convergent and subduction of these plates are also seen in the geographical landscape in present-day Greece with large mountain ranges as well as many islands and the lands drop off into the Mediterranean Sea.

Present day Greece still experiences seismic activity regularly; however, it is usually much more mild than the one felt in 464 BC.

Effects

Accounts of the earthquake and its consequences are based on only a few often unreliable historical sources, specifically the writings of

surface wave magnitude scale.[7]

Due to the lack of proper infrastructure and seismic engineering knowledge during this time casualties were originally thought to be very high with some contemporary sources believing the death toll to be around 20,000. However, modern scholars believe this might be an exaggeration due to the fact that at the time the city was relatively small and spread out, with most buildings being one floor and constructed from wood or sun-baked brick making it hard to believe that casualties could have been so high.[8] The lack of detailed population records, coupled with flight of survivors to other areas, may have contributed to the uncertainty, as it can today.[8] In such a catastrophic earthquake, it is also unlikely that a number of the anecdotal tales from the time could be true, such as the Spartan king Archidamus leading the Spartan army out of the city to safety. Regardless of the exact death toll, there was some destruction, and the helots, the slave class in Spartan society, took advantage of this moment to rise in rebellion.[8]

Historical significance

The 464 BC Sparta earthquake is marked by scholars as one of the key events that led to the

Corinthian Gulf. The alliance between Sparta and Athens was never revived, and disagreements continued to intensify until the outbreak of war in 460 BC. Since the Helot population used the earthquake as their opportunity to rebel, the Spartans were forced to wait to reform their society until after they had suppressed the Helots.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ Guidoboni, E.; Ferrari G.; Mariotti D.; Comastri A.; Tarabusi G.; Valensise G. "Catalogue of Strong Earthquakes in Italy 461 B.C. – 1997and Mediterranean area 760 B.C. – 1500". Retrieved 2009-10-19.
  2. S2CID 231889409
    .
  3. JSTOR 631021
    .
  4. ISSN 2037-416X
    .
  5. doi:10.1016/j.jog.2005.07.015
    .
  6. OCLC 60605267
    .
  7. S2CID 4278524
    .
  8. ^
    JSTOR 4343103
    .
  9. OCLC 777896
    .
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