AD 17 Lydia earthquake
The AD 17 Lydia earthquake caused the destruction of at least twelve cities in the region of
Damage
Historical records list up to fifteen towns and cities that were destroyed or damaged by the earthquake: Sardis,
Earthquake
There are very few extant details for this earthquake. It is known that it occurred during the night, in AD 17 and that it affected a series of cities. A variety of epicenters have been used in catalogues, near Ephesus in the NGDC database,[7] at Sardis in the CFTI4MED database[8] and near Magnesia in the IISEE catalogue.[9]
Aftermath
The Roman Emperor, Tiberius, agreed to waive all taxes due from Sardis and the other cities for a period of five years after the earthquake. He further sent Sardis ten million sesterces and appointed Marcus Ateius, an ex-Praetor, to assess their needs. In recognition of the aid received and the tributes that were waived, twelve of the cities raised a colossal statue in Tiberius' honour in Julius Caesar's Forum in Rome, with each of the cities represented by a recognisable figure. Two additional figures were added later, representing Kibyra and Ephesus as they had also received aid from Tiberius.[10] A copy of this statue, with the figures transferred to a frieze around the base, was erected in Puteoli where it can still be seen.[11]
A statue was raised in Tiberius' honour at Sardis in AD 43, with an inscription calling him the "founder of the city".[12] Another incomplete inscription, found at Sardis, is thought to have been a copy of a formal document from the cities to the emperor expressing their gratitude. The surviving part includes signatories from representatives of eight of the cities.[13]
Commemorative coins were struck in AD 22–23 in Rome, showing Tiberius with the inscription "CIVITATIBVS ASIAE RESTITVTIS" (RPC I.2.48)[14] or "cities of Asia restored". Provincial coins were also struck, including one from the city of Magnesia, bearing the inscription "ΤΙΒΕΡΙΟΝ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΝ ΚΤΙΣΤΗΝ" or "Tiberius Augustus Founder".[15]
Some of the restored cities changed their names in honour of the emperor. Hieracome became Hierocaesarea,[16] Kibyra added Caesarea after its name,[5] Philadelphia was renamed Neocaesarea,[16] and Sardis added "Caesarea" briefly to its name.[17]
See also
References
- ISBN 978-0-19-161409-5.
- ISBN 978-0-8054-9548-5.
- ^ Tacitus, Publius Cornelius (1870). Books I. and II. of the Annals of Tacitus: translated into English with notes and marginal analysis of the chapters. Translated by Beesly H.E. Longmans. pp. 117–118.
- ISBN 978-0-8146-5259-6.
- ^ a b Stillwell et al. 1976.
- ISBN 9780520203778.
- doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
- ^ Guidoboni, E.; Ferrari G.; Mariotti D.; Comastri A.; Tarabusi G.; Valensise G. "Catalogue of Strong Earthquakes in Italy (461 BC – 1997) and Mediterranean Area (760 B.C. – 1500)". INGV-SGA. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
- ^ International Institute of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering. "Catalog of Damaging Earthquakes in the World (Through 2009)". Retrieved 8 March 2012.
- ISBN 978-0-520-22067-6.
- ISBN 9780520067738. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
- ISBN 978-0-674-06345-7.
- ^ Buckley, W.H.; Robinson D.M. Greek and Latin inscriptions. Publications of the American Society for the excavation of Sardis. Vol. 7. E.J. Brill. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
- ^ "RIC I (Second edition) Tiberius 48".
- ISBN 978-0-567-08298-5.
- ^ a b Ramsay 1904, pp. 409–410.
- ^ Ramsay 1904, pp. 366–367, 398, 409.
Sources
- Ramsay, William Mitchell (1904), The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia, Hodder and Stoughton
- Stillwell, R.; MacDonald, W.; McAlister, M.H.; Holland, Marian (1976). "Kibyra Maior (Horzum (Gölhisar)) Phrygia, Turkey.". The Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites. Retrieved 9 March 2012.