The Lisbon Earthquake of 1755 and the Birth of Modern Seismology

On November 1, 1755, Lisbon was devastated by one of history's most powerful earthquakes, followed by a tsunami and fires that destroyed much of the city. This episode explores the cataclysm itself, the scientific and theological shockwaves it sent through Europe, and how the disaster reshaped Portuguese society. We focus on the reconstruction led by the Marquês de Pombal, who used the opportunity to modernize Lisbon and weaken the power of the nobility and the Inquisition. We also discuss the reactions of Voltaire, Rousseau, and Kant, who used the earthquake as a touchstone in debates about optimism, divine providence, and the origins of modern seismology. Along the way, we consider the resilience of the Portuguese people and the enduring legacy of Pombal's rebuilding, including the Baixa Pombalina, one of the first earthquake-resistant city designs in the world. #LisbonEarthquake #1755Earthquake #MarquesdePombal #PombalineReconstruction #Seismology #PortugalHistory #Lisbon1755 #TsunamiHistory #AllSaintsDay #BaixaPombalina #Voltaire #Rousseau #Kant #AgeOfEnlightenment #DisasterHistory #UrbanPlanning #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo