The Forgotten Giant Disaster Of The Late Roman Empire.

[@Maiorianus_Sebastian]

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[@popstarresearchingoblivion8778]

It's chilling that more than 1.500 years later people made the same mistake when they stood on the shore watching the sea retreat during the 2004 tsunami

[@OlivierMosimann]

Yes, the footage was eerie.

[@pbohearn]

I live in Lisbon Portugal and the city of Lisbon was almost destroyed by a combination of a major earthquake, subsequent fires and a major tsunami on all souls day in the 18 century. Most of the city had to be rebuilt, and it contributed to the continuing deterioration of the country economically, etc., which had been the power center in the 15th century. The king was so freaked out, He left Lisbon and lived outside in what is now the suburbs of Lisbon because of the destruction of buildings and deaths. Much of the city was then constructed according to a grid, like had been done in Paris, and that is what exists to this day. There’s very few areas of Lisbon that have buildings, etc. from medieval or older periods because of the total destruction, even though Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in Europe.

[@OlivierMosimann]

Yes, a terrible event. There is an epic and chilling account of this disaster by an English merchant

[@bert8373]

I have a book which covered the great Lisbon earthquake great read

[@Rotebuehl1]

​@@OlivierMosimann What's the merchant's name? Are there any records?

[@pcka12]

Is this why I have visited Sintra (as a tourist), a beautiful place with a pleasant climate or did the Royal Palace there exist before the earthquake - I believe that it relates to an English Queen from a naturally cooler climate?

[@kaloarepo288]

Yes the marquis de Pombal spearheaded the reconstruction and a lot of the research into how to make buildings earthquake resistant was due to his patronage. In Voltaire's "novel" Candide and modern musical by Leonard Bernstein the saying " to live in the best of possible worlds" became questioned when Voltaire heard about the devastation caused by this earthquake and made him pessimistic about the world. But even Lisbon pales when compared to the early 1900's Messina-Reggio Calabria earthquake which probably killed up to one hundred thousand -the tsunami decimated Messina in Sicily. This earthquake is reckoned to be the worst disaster from point of view of total deaths ever to afflict Western Europe- of all recorded time!

[@ozgurceltikci9106]

Keep in mind that just 7 years ago in 358 AD, a huge EQ occurred in Bithynia, destroying most of Tarsus in Bithynia, Heraclia Pontica and, most crucially of all, Nicomedia. Even the mint facility in the city only came back to life in 490s, during the reign of Anastasius I. So, it wasn’t just the Mediterranean but in all probability, the Black Sea trade was damaged beyond repair, too.

[@flaviusaetius5701]

Man the late roman empire just couldnt catch a break 😔

[@nedludd7622]

I knew more than a bit about the Roman Empire but had never heard of this.

[@lymangreen5020]

Neither had I!!

[@tanjiro2507]

Same, first time I heard that.

[@ansibarius4633]

I had read somewhere that Ammianus mentioned a tsunami, more or less as a sidenote in a general history of the Roman Empire from the 70s, I believe. The kind of historical research that focuses on climate and other natural forces and their impact on societies seems to be a more recent phenomenon, mirroring the concerns of contemporary society.

[@BernasLL]

@@ansibarius4633 I would argue that the "kind of historical research that focuses on" the details of civilization collapse is what actually "seems to be a more recent phenomenon, mirroring the concerns of contemporary society".

[@mofarag2529]

Thanks for this video, as an Egyptian I always wondered when ancient Alexandria came to an end.

[@papasitoman]

I wonder if this could explain what happened to Alexander of Macedon's tomb. Perhaps the area was simply washed away...

[@stephenchappell7512]

That's plausible because recorded visits cease around this time too

[@AlexandreLimberger]

Was wondering about that too!

[@GenericYoutubeGuy]

Just call him Alexander the Great…

[@joebombero1]

Alexander's tomb was likely beneath St. Mark's Basilica. The basilica was first built upon the ruins of a pagan temple at the center of Alexandria. When the crusaders raided Alexandria the Venetians looted St. Mark's, taking the body of the Apostle with them back to Venice, where it lays beneath St. Mark's in Venice. But the Coptic Church insists St. Mark is still in their cathedral. So whose body is in Venice? Yup. Likely that of Alexander himself.

[@nunyafuckinbizniz]

​@@joebombero1exactly,,,,we need dna tests done.

[@OlegSapoznikov]

Thank you for an interesting topic which is surprisingly not widely discussed within the narrative of the Late Roman Empire. The influence of this disaster must have been enormous not only on the economy but also on the psychological life of the Empire. And what about the apocalyptical moods of an average Roman...

[@TheRezro]

It is because blaming Germans was main talking point of Byzantine propaganda.

[@EdwardM-t8p]

The Panhellenes and the Jews would have blamed the Christians and vice versa. Violence would have broken out, and the Christians ultimately would have won the battle.

[@daveweiss5647]

I never knew about this, it definitely adds to the causes of the decline that would destroy the empire. Another puzzle piece, thanks!

[@erikm8372]

I love the picture of the wave coming, and everyone just strolling down the beach. 😂

[@danielefabbro822]

Good news fella! While the disaster of Spain floodings have brought to us gread saddness for the misfortune that have hit our Hermanos Espaniol, a good news comes from Espana: an ancient Roman dam have saved a town from the flooding. The dam was built under the reign of Octavian Augustus, roughly 2000 years ago and it's still doing its job like when it was built. But most importantly, it saved the lives of the inhabitants of that town. May Imperator Divi Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus Augusti be praised for his boundless wisdom and benevolence towards the citizens of the mighty Imperium Romanum!

[@vincentkosik403]

Never heard of this event, and I read about this era ...wonder why? That was very good talk and video ...can't imagine what the people thought...

[@friendlyfire7861]

That was new to me! Great illustrations.

[@Maiorianus_Sebastian]

Thank you :) It was new to me as well, I only found out a few weeks ago by chance, about this. It's really strangely unknown.

[@jstantongood5474]

Wooow who would have guessed that Maioranus was a silver fox. 🦊!!!

[@piotrwojdelko1150]

this guy has done amazing job

[@andreweaston1779]

Never even heard of this before. wow

[@richardsmith579]

I was unaware of the seriousness of this. Thanks for the information.

[@sethmangini6671]

I just got back from Alexandria and thought a lot about this. Would you be willing to do a detailed video on earthquakes in Alexandria similar to the one you did on earthquakes in Rome?

[@torreyholmes7205]

The sea was angry that day my friends, like an old man trying to return soup at a deli!

[@muscledavis5434]

It was like the wrath of Poseidon hit them!

[@brettmuir5679]

But I'm not a marine biologist

[@Y_S_I_Thompson]

I believe that the famous Library of Alexandria was very close to the coast. Maybe some of the library was damaged from the tsunami.

[@TheRealVolk]

This is fascinating but I kept getting this tsunami confused with the Mt. Krakatoa blast in 536 A.D. Would love to see a video analyzing the Roman fallout, if you haven’t already done one. Cheers! 🐾

[@gabrielrodriguez821]

I wonder if there are natural disasters that happen before every empire falls. A year before the Aztec fell , they had seemingly out of nowhere and being they lived on a lake island on a perfectly clear day the lake swoled up then a single tidel wave smashed into city taking out boats, homes and flooding. Then the main temple caught fire out of no where. The emperor was visited by a strange bird( you can't make shi up) there was a strange phenomenon in the sky described as a streaking fireball and it hung in the sky for weeks. People were freaking out.

[@davidkeane1820]

Thanks!

[@Maiorianus_Sebastian]

Thanks a lot for your kind donation, I really appreciate it very much :)

[@davidkeane1820]

Thanks for covering this

[@Maiorianus_Sebastian]

Of course, nothing to thank for, I am enjoying working on these videos.

[@niksworks9150]

Late Roman Empire was in extreme hard difficulty

[@danielgyllenbreider]

Deity, even:)

[@CHAS1422]

There are many sources of speculation as to the destruction of the library of Alexandria. Surely a 12m tsunami would have done the job.

[@filmbuffo5616]

It was destroyed by fanatical Christian monks , who destroyed any work associated with paganism.

[@oliversmith9200]

Very Interesting additions to our comprehension.

[@moesypittounikos]

Neptune was pissed!

[@Foster-hm2sh]

I am very thankful that I found and watch your channel! You and the content presentation are incredible!! Glad I subscribed😁

[@the_clawing_chaos]

Something I had never heard of. Amazing its become almost forgotten history. Love your work.

[@juelbriggs447]

Wow, amazing, thank you.

[@truthseeker9400]

Love the videos.

[@ewittkofs]

That is an amazing story; like most people, I have never heard of this. It seems so likely that this had a devastating impact on the empire already weakened from other natural and human-caused events.

[@carlosfilho3402]

Congratulations on this video

[@androd-87]

Thank you. Well delivered and very informative.

[@randyhebbebusche3644]

Fascinating story. Can't imagine the aftermath of such a disaster. Dealing with the bodies alone must have been a tremendous challenge.

[@Oldsmobile69]

Awesome video again!

[@brettmuir5679]

Beirut was not mentioned but all of the coasts of Lebanon, Syria and Palestine were hit hard too Thanks for the video. The AI images were hit and miss however. Not necessary over all. Your content is good enough without such distractions

[@cynthiadiaz7533]

Thank you and great show!

[@kskssxoxskskss2189]

A masterpiece.

[@henningvonplaten1548]

Your videos are a treat!

[@SquireWaldo]

Thank you for the video!

[@Maiorianus_Sebastian]

No need to thank :)

[@matthewwright8995]

Fascinating, I'd never heard of this event. It must have caused huge economic problems. Like you said, in this period it seems like there was just so many negative events dragging down the Empire.

[@misaelsouza3869]

That was the gods saying: destroy the mathriarcal and merchant societies of east mediterrane and we spare your empire.

[@SanjayKumar-jd3bv]

😂😂germanic vandal crying in comment your civilization is also destroyed by God. Today your terror europe is literally collapsed so called Germanic Israel empire 😂😂

[@Rotebuehl1]

Stupid comment

[@misaelsouza3869]

@Rotebuehl1 I agree, you should not comment your ideas.

[@RT-mn2pb]

I know you go by the name "Maiorianus" on the channel. But, to my wife and I you are Rome Guy". Thanks for your videos. Well research, nicely presented, and both educational and entertaining.

[@lukang72]

great video. this may be a primary driver in the ultimate demise of the Roman Empire

[@ansibarius4633]

A single tsunami? Surely societies are more resilient than that. And it was the agrarian western half of the empire that fell, whereas the eastern part with its many coastal cities kept on functioning.

[@scipi_o]

this reminds me of Saint Seiya posoeidon episode

[@darthvader9235]

Make a biography of aurelian in a video 😁.

[@John_Pace]

Reminds me of the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake

[@gregoryferraro7379]

Ancient Alexandria was on a narrow sand bank between the Sea and a lake. The tsunami must have washed right over it.

[@tc556guy]

Stop promoting AI

[@micksherman7709]

But it was the Western Empire that fell, not the Eastern.

[@shaundavenport621]

I remremember reading Procopius,s account of this!

[@besticudcumupwith202]

...what's with the buffering circle? Is that on purpose?

[@ΒασιλικηΚαζαντζη-θ8φ]

Great episode. Ammianus is the last author to write in Latin. European decline is very similar.

[@ansibarius4633]

What do you mean? There were many authors after him who wrote in Latin. Maybe he was the last of the great Roman historians who wrote in Latin, but they were few and far between anyway.

[@joebombero1]

The last Roman historian we have today that wrote in Latin. No doubt there were others, but we do not have their texts.

[@Colonel_Blimp]

Tell that to the medieval scholars.

[@ΒασιλικηΚαζαντζη-θ8φ]

@@ansibarius4633 As the Western part of the empire disintegrated he was the last of his generation that we accounts

[@ansibarius4633]

@@ΒασιλικηΚαζαντζη-θ8φ But the kind of history he wrote was exceptional already, finding his inspiration in the work of Tacitus, who lived about 250-300 years before his own time. We have nothing like that from the period between them, in Latin at least.

[@jimslancio]

Release the Kraken!

[@scottgindroz1474]

One of the many diasters that characterized the crisis of the third century.

[@adamnesico]

Noone says that maybe this is the event that destroyed tu he library of Alexandria?

[@Bepinowapo]

Librum additum commentarius: Maiorianus "de oratore"

[@comentedonakeyboard]

When earth quakes...

[@Oldsmobile69]

When are you going to start selling that flag you have behind you?

[@erikm8372]

07:21 **eastern parts of the North African coast**. Not quite "Eastern" Africa 😉

[@comentedonakeyboard]

Unless he is refering to the Roman Province of Africa, roughly modern Tunisia🤔

[@henkstersmacro-world]

👍👍👍

[@Mfields4517]

I dont understand how Romans didnt link the emerging Christianity with sll these natural and man made disasters?wouldnt you think the old gods were angry

[@wxwaxone]

I wouldn’t assume that such an effect was not in fact taking place. The timing is suggestive that the decline of the pagan Roman empire at this time and the meteoric rise of Christianity might have been partly due to popular turmoil from all these ‘acts of God’ calamities.

[@filmbuffo5616]

Why would they see any connection at all between religion and these events?

[@d.l.l.6578]

I think this disaster would have been a judgment for their vicious persecution of Christians.

[@comentedonakeyboard]

Pagans would of course insist that it was punishment for neglecting the old gods😂

[@d.l.l.6578]

@ That’s true, they thought that. I would say it was judgment from God. Roman emperors viciously persecuted Christians, and God saw it.

[@filmbuffo5616]

Christians did the persecuting for 1500 years after Rome fell. Moreover, Rome was Christian at the time of this disaster, the Empire was ruled by Christians since the time of Constantine I, well before this event.