In 1746, a massive earthquake struck the Peruvian coast, resulting in the complete destruction of Lima, the capital city, and generating a tsunami that devastated the port of Callao. This natural disaster had profound effects on the region, leading to significant loss of life and economic disruption. The earthquake highlighted the vulnerability of urban centers to seismic activity and prompted discussions about urban resilience and disaster response.

The Great Peruvian Earthquake of 1746 led to profound religious soul-searching, inspiring epic colonial poems that framed the disaster as a divine warning. This literary response reflected the societal anxieties of the time and the intersection of faith and catastrophe in poetic expression.