Penn Lightbulb Café Presents: A Fourth Century C.E. Earthquake That Shook the World
WHO: Cam Grey
Associate Professor
Department of Classical Studies
WHAT: Penn Lightbulb Café: “An Earthquake That Shook the World: Seismicity and Societal Change in the Fourth Century C.E.”
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 23, 6-7 p.m.
WHERE: World Cafe Live Upstairs, 3025 Walnut St., Philadelphia
Early in the reign of the brothers Valentinian and Valens, a massive earthquake shook the eastern Mediterranean. The July 21, 365 C.E., quake had an estimated magnitude between 8.0 and 8.5 on the Richter scale. Archaeological evidence has shown that destruction of buildings and temples spread from Crete to other parts of the Mediterranean. The earthquake is frequently connected to a tsunami that reached as far as Croatia, northwestern Greece, Libya and Egypt. Cam Grey will discuss the considerable literary, historical and archaeoseismological challenges that attend the project of reconstructing this earthquake and tsunami.
The talk is part of the Penn Lightbulb Café free public-lecture series presented by Penn Arts & Sciences and the Office of University Communications that takes arts, humanities and social-sciences scholarship out of the classroom for a night on the town. Each hour-long Café begins at 6 p.m., with a presentation and later an audience Q&A. Café events are free and open to the public. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Seating is limited.
