The news put into perspective every Saturday, thanks to the historian Fabrice d’Almeida.
The earthquake in Turkey and Syria has caused immense emotion throughout the world. The death toll of more than 41,000 continues to grow. Such earthquakes play a big role in history, as evidenced by that of Lisbon in the 18th century.
It was in 1755, on All Saints’ Day: November 1st. Families had gathered for the feast of the dead, in the capital which was to have nearly 200,000 residents. At 9:40 a.m., the first tremor begins. She worries the locals. Soon, it is followed by three aftershocks. Buildings dance and then collapse. What to do ? Some decide to flee to the shore and the port when suddenly a tsunami occurs. A wave of 5 to 10 m submerges the docks and advances 250 m inland. The population is desperate and tries to help the inhabitants of the stone buildings, when the first fires break out in the wooden houses.
The disaster is complete. Venerable religious buildings dating back to the Middle Ages are no more than ruins, such as the cathedral. Out of 40 major churches only five remain standing. The city is 85% destroyed. And how many deaths? 10,000 instantly. Then 40,000 or 60,000, depending on the family.
In this drama a figure emerges. This is Sebastiao Jose Carvalho e Melo, the future Marquess of Pombal. He has just been appointed chief minister. While the royal family, leaving Lisbon for Belem, decides to stay away from the disaster, the minister activates on the spot, with his guard. For eight days, he lives in his carriage, which he moves around town as needed. He hangs about thirty looters and thieves who notably robbed the nuns, who had just left the collapsed convents. He coordinates the excavation of the rubble, brings in food and lodging for the survivors. Eight days when the head of government is described wearing dirty, torn clothes, spun stockings, so much does he pay with himself for his people.
The lessons of earthquakes
Later, with architects, it was still the Marquis of Pombal who presided over the reconstruction of the capital. He raises the first anti-seismic buildings. The Lisbon we know today owes him a lot.
In fact, great earthquakes change the order of things and the organization of power. For President Erdogan and for Bashar El Assad, this is a new challenge for their authority. Then, a lively intellectual debate is needed on the meaning of these events, the responsibilities. The Lisbon earthquake favored enlightenment and weakened belief in God. What will happen to that of Turkey and Syria, those lands of Islamism still burning yesterday? Finally, what is striking is the incredible resilience of the peoples. All resume their lives after these dramas and build a safer environment. Hopefully Turkey and Syria will follow the Lisbon model.
