Biological warfare and impact on populations from "summary" of The Fate of Rome by Kyle Harper
Biological warfare, a sinister form of conflict where diseases are weaponized to devastate enemy populations, had a profound impact on the people of Rome. The Romans unknowingly unleashed biological warfare on themselves through their conquests, as they inadvertently spread diseases like smallpox, measles, and bubonic plague to new territories. These diseases were particularly deadly to populations that had not developed immunity to them, causing widespread death and destabilizing societies. One of the most devastating examples of biological warfare in ancient Rome was the Antonine Plague of the 2nd century AD. This pandemic, likely caused by smallpox or measles, swept through the empire, killing millions and weakening the social and economic fabric of Roman society. The Antonine Plague is believed to have significantly contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire, as it undermined the military, disrupted trade networks, and led...
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