Worst Plagues In History
American Plagues 16th Century
When the interaction between Native Americans and the Europeans started, lots of new illnesses were triggered for both nations. The former suffered from smallpox and measles, and the latter came down with syphilis. These types of plague killed thousands of people from Central and South America, and then from Europe.
Antonine Plague
The cruel epidemic in Europe refers to the reign of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius who reigned in 161-180, belonged to the Antonin dynasty, hence the name of the Antonine plague. The reasons for pandemic were smallpox or measles, which were incurable during that ancient time.
Great Plague of Marseille
In the early 18th century, Marseille was a port city with the significant trading crossings of the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa. The infection was brought in one of the ships, and it killed 100,000 citizens during the following years. A huge wall was built to prevent the rapid spread of the pandemic to Provence.
Moscow Plague and Riot
The situation in Moscow started to deteriorate in the middle of 18th century. People who were working at poor factories in unsanitary conditions were the most vulnerable. Garbage and waste were not removed, there was a shortage of food, more and more people became ill. This triggered panic and inner-city riots.
Great Plague of London 1665 – 1666
A severe massive outbreak of disease happened in England and killed one-fifth of the population of London. Such types of plague are called bubonic because they are infectious. Although the center of the epidemic was London, the contagion impacted other regions, causing deaths in the whole England.
The Third Pandemic 1855 – 1950s
This epidemic is on the list of plagues which killed the biggest amount of people. Casualties accounted for 12 million people in China and India alone, as these territories were central for the outburst. Due to trading, the illness spread over the whole world killing more and more inhabitants.
Plague of Athens
This epidemic broke out in the Ancient Athens. The time when everything happened is connected with the Peloponnesian War. It is on the list of pandemics which played a crucial role in the world history. It is said that the loss in this war served as spur to the further success of the Macedonians.
Plague of Justinian
Plague of Justinian began in 541 in the Eastern Roman Empire when Justinian was the ruler (the epidemic is named after him). The Emperor suffered from illness in 543 and managed to recover. Regarding the geographical span of the outbreak, these plaques are compared to the Black Death.
Great Plague of Milan
If you ask when was the plague most serious outburst, the answer will be the Great Plague of Milan. This evil illness took away more than 280,000 lives. The epidemic spread over Venice and Lombardy. Because of the military invasions, the infection was carried to other territories, including Milan.
Related Lists
The Black Death 1347 – 1351
Belonging to the bubonic plague history, Black Death killed half of the European population as well as brought death to China and India. This illness is still not eradicated, and its virus spreads in the most impoverished regions. However, the threat of death is now lower thanks to modern medicinal breakthroughs.