7.2.1.1. The Black Plague

The Black Plague, a catastrophic pandemic that ravaged Europe in the 14th century, stands as a harrowing testament to the devastating toll wrought by infectious diseases on human populations throughout history. Initially believed to have originated in Asia and transmitted via fleas infesting rats aboard merchant ships, the Black Plague swiftly spread across Europe, precipitating a cataclysmic wave of death and despair that claimed the lives of an estimated 25 million people, decimating communities, destabilizing economies, and reshaping the course of history. Characterized by the sudden onset of fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, and the appearance of painful buboes, the Black Plague inflicted unparalleled suffering upon its victims, leaving an indelible mark on the collective psyche of humanity and underscoring the profound vulnerability of societies in the face of pandemics.

This content is provided to you freely by BYU-I Books.

Access it online or download it at https://books.byui.edu/sustaining_life/7211_the_black_plague.