Interaction between pathogens and climate from "summary" of The Fate of Rome by Kyle Harper
The relentless force of nature shaped the destiny of Rome in ways that were both insidious and profound. The interplay between pathogens and climate laid bare the vulnerability of the empire, exposing its people to the wrath of invisible enemies. Disease and environmental conditions conspired to deliver devastating blows to the fabric of Roman society, weakening its foundations and hastening its decline. The climate provided a fertile breeding ground for pathogens, creating ideal conditions for the spread of disease. The erratic weather patterns of the late antique Little Ice Age disrupted agricultural cycles and led to food shortages, malnutrition, and weakened immune systems. These factors, combined with the unsanitary living conditions of urban centers, created a perfect storm for the rapid transmission of infectious diseases. Pathogens such as smallpox, measles, and the bubonic plague thrived in this environment, wreaking havoc on Roman populations already weakened by the harsh ...
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