The Plague of Athens (430-426 BC) was a catastrophic event during the second year of the Peloponnesian War, wreaking havoc on the Athenian population and its leadership.
This mysterious epidemic struck Athens, a city-state embroiled in a fierce conflict with Sparta. Historians estimate that the plague claimed between 75,000 and 100,000 lives, representing nearly a third of the city-states’ population at the time.
The exact cause of the plague remains a topic of scholarly debate. The Greek historian Thucydides, who contracted the disease but survived, provided a detailed account of the symptoms, including fever, redness of the eyes, severe headaches, and lesions.
Some modern researchers suggest that the plague might have been caused by typhoid fever, Ebola, or even measles. Still, no conclusive evidence has been found to pinpoint the exact pathogen.
The impact of the plague on Athens was profound. It led to significant social, political, and military consequences.
The death of the esteemed Athenian leader, Pericles, severely affected the city’s morale and strategy. The plague also exacerbated internal strife and weakened Athens’ military capabilities, contributing to its eventual defeat by Sparta in 404 BC.
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