Thoroughly Shaken

In A. D. 551, disaster struck in Smyrna (today: İzmir, in Turkey) in the shape of a great earthquake. The earthquake is mentioned in a poem that has been included in the Anthology of Planudes (Anth. Pal. 16.43), which subsequently was discovered to be part of an actual inscribed monument from Smyrna (SGO I 05/01/10 = V 24/14 Merkelbach – Stauber).

The verse inscription records the efforts of proconsul Damocharis to rebuild the heavily damaged city:

Δαμόχαρι κλυτόμητι, δικασπόλε, σοὶ τόδε κῦδος,
ὅττι με τὴν Σμύρναν μετὰ λοίγια κήματα σεισμοῦ
ἐσσυμένως πονέων αὖθις πόλιν ἐξετέλεσσας.

Damocharis, wise planner, fair judge, this splendour is yours,
for you made me, Smyrna, following that pernicious harm of the earthquake,
a proper city again rapidly and with great effort.

The devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria just over one week ago, with its hitherto unknown death toll and the unfathomable disruption it caused to human lives in the affected area, has made it very obvious, once again, that structural damage to infrastructure, dwellings, and, of course, archaeological sights is a huge concern – just as it was to proconsul Damocharis.

What really matters, however, in times of such a humanitarian crisis, is to support those in need. There are many noble ways to support those affected by the λοίγια κήματα σεισμοῦ, the pernicious harm caused by the earthquake, and to do so right now, very concretely.

We would like to draw your attention to one that is particularly close to us: The Austrian Archaeological Institute (ÖAI) here in Vienna is calling for donations to provide relief to their Turkish team members and colleagues who are part of their Ephesus campaign. You find more information on this if you follow this link.

And whether you support this or any of the other initiatives that support the people in need: thank you for your kindness!

Your name may not end up on a commemorative plaque for restoring a damaged city. That is for politicians.

In fact, your name and generosity may not be known to anyone.

But you will have done something good for fellow human beings.

And perhaps that is what counts most after all.