Plague in Athens during Peloponnesian War from "summary" of The Histories by Herodotus
In the second year of the Peloponnesian War, a deadly plague swept through the city of Athens. This plague, which originated in Ethiopia, was unlike any other that the people had ever seen before. It began in the Piraeus, the port of Athens, and quickly spread to the city itself. The symptoms of the disease were severe and debilitating, causing a high fever, inflammation, and violent coughing. The people of Athens were unprepared for such a devastating outbreak and were at a loss for how to combat it. The city's overcrowded and unsanitary conditions only served to exacerbate the spread of the disease. The streets were filled with the sick and dying, and funeral pyres burned day and night to dispose of the bodies. As the death toll continued to rise, fear and panic gripped the city. People avoided each other, both out of fear of contracting the disease and out of a lack of compassion for their fellow citizens. The temples and sanctuaries, usually places of solace and refuge, were abandoned as people turned away from the gods in their desperation. The plague did not discriminate based on age or social status. Both the wealthy and the poor fell victim to its deadly grasp. Pericles, the influential leader of Athens, was among those who succumbed to the disease. His death left a leadership vacuum in the city, further adding to the chaos and uncertainty that gripped Athens during this dark time. Despite the efforts of the city's physicians and healers, the plague continued to ravage Athens for over a year. It is estimated that a quarter of the city's population perished as a result of the disease. The psychological and emotional toll of the plague was just as devastating as the physical toll, leaving the survivors scarred and traumatized for years to come. The plague in Athens during the Peloponnesian War serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of human life and the unpredictability of nature. It is a testament to the power of disease to disrupt and destroy even the most powerful and advanced societies. The legacy of the plague lives on in the collective memory of the people of Athens, a somber reminder of the horrors that can be unleashed in times of war and strife.
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