Sometime in early 1124, an unknown trader appeared near Tashkent, staggering slowly toward the gates. A witness, most likely Aziz ibn Hafeez, wrote: "At noon, a man was seen stumbling toward the city gates. He appeared ill, almost lifeless. As he approached the gates he picked up speed, before vomiting blood which spewed over one of the guards. The guard, in his anger, immediately ended the man's life with his spear." That night a massacre occurred in the town. Many fled the city, amongst them was Aziz, who wrote: From there the plague spread like wildfire.