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Grand narratives of history often center on interactions among ideas, polities, & Great Individuals (esp. Great Men). But one of the important & overlooked actors is disease! Here are some examples of how epidemics left lasting impacts on the world:
1. Plague & the fall of Athens
In the 2nd year of the Peloponnesian War, an epidemic decimated Athens, killing 75-100k ppl. The loss of life, + weaker political strength & morale, likely contributed to Athens's defeat in the war & its subsequent fall as an ancient superpower.
In the 2nd year of the Peloponnesian War, an epidemic decimated Athens, killing 75-100k ppl. The loss of life, + weaker political strength & morale, likely contributed to Athens's defeat in the war & its subsequent fall as an ancient superpower.
2. The Sasanian collapse
The Sasanians were the last pre-Islamic Persian empire, ruling from 224-651 AD. Their collapse began in 628 AD, when a plague killed up to 1/2 of the population. The anxiety coincided w/ (influenced?) the ousting of the king & the outbreak of civil war.
The Sasanians were the last pre-Islamic Persian empire, ruling from 224-651 AD. Their collapse began in 628 AD, when a plague killed up to 1/2 of the population. The anxiety coincided w/ (influenced?) the ousting of the king & the outbreak of civil war.
3. Smallpox & Japanese Buddhism
From 735-737, smallpox killed ~1/3 of the Japanese population. The epidemic fueled Buddhism’s expansion as the deaths inspired (or justified) Emperor Shomu’s construction of monasteries, temples, & the giant Buddha in Nara.
From 735-737, smallpox killed ~1/3 of the Japanese population. The epidemic fueled Buddhism’s expansion as the deaths inspired (or justified) Emperor Shomu’s construction of monasteries, temples, & the giant Buddha in Nara.
4. Black Death & the end of serfdom
Plague hit England in 1348, killing ~1/2 of the population. It led to a shortage of labor, a rise in wages, and a tug-of-war between landowners & lower classes over economic power—ending eventually w/ the collapse of serfdom in England.
Plague hit England in 1348, killing ~1/2 of the population. It led to a shortage of labor, a rise in wages, and a tug-of-war between landowners & lower classes over economic power—ending eventually w/ the collapse of serfdom in England.
5. Germs in America
10s of millions of indigenous Americans died from diseases brought from the Old World. Many entire ppls disappeared, including the Patuxet band, who enjoyed the first Thanksgiving w/ colonists before dying out soon after.
10s of millions of indigenous Americans died from diseases brought from the Old World. Many entire ppls disappeared, including the Patuxet band, who enjoyed the first Thanksgiving w/ colonists before dying out soon after.
6. Measles & Indo-Fijians
In 1875, measles arrived in Fiji, killing ~1/4 of the population & contributing to a labor shortage for British plantations. In response, the British introduced Indian laborers. Today Indo-Fijians make up 40% of the population, & ethnic tensions persist.
In 1875, measles arrived in Fiji, killing ~1/4 of the population & contributing to a labor shortage for British plantations. In response, the British introduced Indian laborers. Today Indo-Fijians make up 40% of the population, & ethnic tensions persist.
The take-away? Epidemics change history. They reshape demography, tip the scales of economic & political power, & induce anxiety, resulting in scapegoating & permitting leaders to make lasting, dramatic changes. No disease can ravage without consequences.
