Plague of Justinian from "summary" of History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon
The Plague of Justinian, a devastating pandemic that struck the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century, was one of the most significant events in the history of the Roman Empire. This deadly disease, which is believed to have been caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium, spread rapidly throughout the empire and beyond, causing widespread death and suffering. The origins of the plague remain somewhat unclear, with some historians suggesting that it may have originated in China or India before making its way to the Byzantine Empire via trade routes. Regardless of its origins, the impact of the plague on the empire was profound, leading to a significant decline in population and economic activity. The Plague of Justinian is estimated to have killed tens of millions of people, with some estimates suggesting that it ...
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