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Antioch

A city on the Orontes, home of the shrine of Habib the Carpenter, named on the plague's path by Ibn al-Wardi.

Today: Antakya, Turkey

The Plague Goes Town by Town

Ibn al-Wardi, The Report of the Pestilence, from his chronicle (Aleppo, 1348) · 1348 (the essay); the chronicle entries 1346–1349

9

ثم سرى إلى سرمين والفوعة فشعث على السنة والشيعة، فسن للسنة اسنته شرعا وشيع في منازل الشيعة مصرعا، ثم أنطى أنطاكية بعض نصيب ورحل عنها حياء من نسيانه ذكرى حبيب، ثم قال لشيرز وحارم لا تخافا مني فأنتما من قبل ومن بعد في غنى عني، فالأمكنة الردية تصح في الأزمنة الوبية ثم أذل عزاز وكلزة وأصبح في بيوتهما الحارث، ولا أغنى ابن حلزة وأخذ من أهل الباب أهل الألباب وباشر تل باشر وذلك دلوك وحاشر وقصد الوهاد والتلاع وقلع خلقا من القلاع ثم طلب حلب ولكنه ما غلب.

Then it traveled by night to Sarmin and al-Fua, and it fell on Sunnis and Shiites alike. For the Sunnis it made its spearpoints the law, and in the homes of the Shiites it spread death. Then it gave Antioch some share, but left out of shame, for it had forgotten the memory of a beloved. Then it said to Shayzar and Harim, “Do not fear me. Before and after, you have no need of me.” For unhealthy places grow healthy in times of pestilence. Then it brought down Azaz and Killiz. The plowman moved into their houses, and Ibn Hilliza was no help at all. It took the people of good sense from the people of al-Bab. It went to work on Tell Bashir, and wore down Duluk and Hashir [?]. It made for the valleys and the hills, and it plucked a multitude out of the castles. Then it went after Aleppo, but it did not win.