In 1170-1171, an extremely low flood of the Nile River caused severe famine and hardship in Fatimid Egypt, exacerbating political instability. The failure of annual inundation disrupted agriculture in this Nile-dependent society. Such environmental crises frequently inspired historical and poetic accounts of suffering, resilience, and the precarious balance between nature and civilization in ancient and medieval texts.

The low Nile flood of 1170-1171 was documented in Arabic historical poetry, emphasizing the Nile's crucial role in sustaining life. Poets of the time, such as Al-Mutanabbi, wove themes of dependency and loss into their works, highlighting the connection between nature and civilization.