The history of seismology has long been tied to Robert Mallet, hailed as the founder of the discipline in the 19th century. Yet in their groundbreaking article Byzantine Views on Earthquakes, Seismoskopoi, and the Origin of the Term Seismology, published in the International Journal of Earth Sciences, Research Asst. Kutsi Aybars Çetinalp and Prof. Dr. Celal Şengör argue that the roots of seismology are far older, reaching back to the heart of the Byzantine Empire.
Through meticulous historical research, Çetinalp and Şengör demonstrate that the term seismology, or rather, its earlier variant seismologion, was in use as early as the tenth century in Constantinople. This concept did not emerge from scientific inquiry as we understand it today but rather from a unique blend of observational practice and interpretative frameworks shaped by Byzantine cosmology, theology, administrative and military needs. At the centre of this system were the seismoskopoi, a specialized group within the Byzantine military and administrative apparatus whose task was to interpret earthquakes—a role that places them at the intersection of the early history of military geology and military history.
The seismoskopoi were not like the natural philosophers of ancient Greece, but more like Babylonian astrologers or soothsayers, blending careful observation with elements of divination. Yet in the eyes of their contemporaries, they were recognized as ‘earthquake experts,’ holding an official role in advising the state and the army on seismic events. This study not only sheds light on a little-known aspect of Byzantine history but also invites reflection on how societies across time have sought to understand and manage natural hazards.
By challenging conventional narratives about the origins of seismology, Çetinalp and Şengör open up new avenues for interdisciplinary dialogue between earth sciences, history, military history and the study of knowledge systems. Their work underscores the importance of looking beyond modern scientific frameworks to appreciate the rich and diverse ways in which human societies have engaged with the forces of nature.