On June 29, 1170 CE, a devastating earthquake struck Syria, causing immense destruction and widespread loss of life. This event was one of the most destructive in the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean area during the 12th century. The quake occurred during a period of intense conflict between the Crusader states and Muslim forces, and it had a significant impact on the region's politics and population.

The 1170 earthquake is recorded in detail in both Christian and Islamic chronicles, making it a key event for understanding the period. The disaster was a subject of lament in contemporary poetry, with poets from both sides of the conflict mourning the loss of life and the destruction of cities. The event is a reminder of the shared vulnerability of all people in the face of natural forces, a theme that transcends the political and religious divisions of the time.