What was the Black Death?
Quick Answer
The Black Death was a devastating pandemic of bubonic plague that spread across Eurasia in the 1340s. It killed an estimated one-third to one-half of Europe’s population.
The Full Story
The Black Death arrived in Europe in 1347 and spread rapidly over the next few years. Caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, it is believed to have been transmitted by fleas and rats, though human-to-human transmission also occurred in some forms. Entire communities were disrupted as cities, villages, and trade networks were hit by mass mortality. The epidemic changed labor systems, religious life, and economic conditions across the medieval world.
Key Facts
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"The medieval pandemic that reshaped Europe"
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