Antonine Plague

This review offers an overview of several devastating historical epidemics and pandemics. The first pandemic ravaging the Middle East and Ancient Egypt was an unidentified “plague” in the late Bronze Age. The plague of Athens was apparently “only” a local epidemic but with fatal consequences for that ancient democracy. Great empires with well-developed trade routes seem to be very susceptible to rapid and devastating spreads as the Antonine Plague, the Plague of Cyprian and the Justinian Plague testify. The great Medieval plague wave in Europe was absolutely devastating, but for the first time it brought along with it substantial containment measures that are still being successfully used today (e.g. isolation, quarantine) as well as the seeds of the development of a new form of medical theory and practice. The blame game that can be observed in the current COVID-19 pandemic has also been seen in previous epidemics and pandemics. Particularly in the case of syphilis, its origin was ...

This review offers an overview of several devastating historical epidemics and pandemics. The first pandemic ravaging the Middle East and Ancient Egypt was an unidentified “plague” in the late Bronze Age. The plague of Athens was apparently “only” a local epidemic but with fatal consequences for that ancient democracy. Great empires with well-developed trade routes seem to be very susceptible to rapid and devastating spreads as the Antonine Plague, the Plague of Cyprian and the Justinian Plague testify. The great Medieval plague wave in Europe was absolutely devastating, but for the first time it brought along with it substantial containment measures that are still being successfully used today (e.g. isolation, quarantine) as well as the seeds of the development of a new form of medical theory and practice. The blame game that can be observed in the current COVID-19 pandemic has also been seen in previous epidemics and pandemics. Particularly in the case of syphilis, its origin was ...

The influence that meteorological, climatological and environmental factors had on historical disease outbreaks is often speculated upon, but little investigated. Here, we explore potential associations between pandemic disease and climate over the last 2,500 years in Mediterranean history, focusing on ancient disease outbreaks and the Justinianic plague in particular. We underscore variation in the quality, quantity and interpretation of written evidence and proxy information from natural archives, the comlexity of identifying and disentangling past climatological and environmental drivers, and the need to integrate diverse methodologies to discern past climate-disease linkages and leverage historical experiences to prepare for the rapid expansion of novel pathogenic diseases. Although the difficulties entailed in establishing historical climate-pandemic linkages persist to the present, this is a research area as urgent as it is complex and historical perspectives are desperately needed.

Lead pollution in Arctic ice reflects mid-latitude emissions from ancient
lead-silver mining and smelting. The few reported measurements
have been extrapolated to infer the performance of ancient
economies, including comparisons of economic productivity and
growth during the Roman Republican and Imperial periods. These
studies were based on sparse sampling and inaccurate dating,
limiting understanding of trends and specific linkages. Here we
show, using a precisely dated record of estimated lead emissions
between 1100 B.C.E. and 800 C.E. derived from sub-annually resolved
measurements in Greenland ice and detailed atmospheric
transport modeling, that annual European lead emissions closely
varied with historical events including imperial expansion, wars,
and major plagues. Emissions rose coeval with Phoenician expansion,
accelerated during expanded Carthaginian and Roman
mining primarily in the Iberian Peninsula, and reached a maximum
under the Roman Empire. Emissions fluctuated synchronously with
wars and political instability particularly during the Roman Republic,
and plunged coincident with two major plagues in the 2nd
and 3rd centuries, remaining low for >500 years. Bullion in silver
coinage declined in parallel, reflecting the importance of leadsilver
mining in ancient economies. Our results indicate sustained
economic growth during the first two centuries of the Roman
Empire, terminated by the 2nd-century Antonine plague.

This paper was submitted in partial fulfillment for the MA program in American history at Norwich University. This paper seeks to develop and outline the historiography of the decline and fall of the western Roman Empire through the use of five significant books, noted for their enduring scholarly impact and quality. Books by Edward Gibbon, Henri Pirenne, Jacob Burckhardt, Kyle Harper, and Peter Brown form the backbone of this endeavor. These books are supported by supporting or contrasting articles.

The 3rd century crisis of the Roman Empire is generally considered to be a consequence of developments within various segments of the Roman Empire (social unrests and uprising, economic instability, inflation etc.) and external influences (devastating barbarian raids and military conflicts). Many scholars mentioned amongst others the effects of an epidemic event, which could have led to significant interferences within demographic, institutional and economic structures in various parts of the Roman Empire. Our present state of knowledge concerning quantitative and qualitative impact of the so-called Antonine Plague (or Galenic Plague) includes considerable differences in estimated death toll figures, resulting in the range of many millions. Besides its role due to the further development during the 3rd century AD, a non-negligible part of the epidemics has to be considered during the 2nd half of the 2nd century AD in the region where the most intensive part of military conflict of the Marcomannic wars has taken place – the Middle Danube region, within the provinces as well as beyond the Roman borders. The latest state of research of the Roman military presence at the Germanic territories point out both extensive and intensive form of occupation.

The Antonine Plague is considered one of the major epidemiological disasters of the Roman
Empire. Occurring between 161 and 180 AD, the pandemic known also as “Galen’s plague” became
an intensively discussed and debated topic in the last fifty years, producing numerous articles and
studies on the demographic, social, economic, geopolitical and even religious impact of the event. In
this article, the author deploys primary sources (literary, archaeological and epigraphic evidences) to
discuss the real and metahistorical impact of the Antonine Plague through specific case studies from
literary and epigraphic sources. The article also focuses on the major changes brought to religious
communication in the mid-second century AD.

Since its surprising appearance in the early 16th century, the so-called Peutinger map has raised many questions. Above all, since then it has been very difficult for experts to provide answers as to the time of origin of a certainly antique model for it and a reasonable identification of numerous localities recorded on it. In this respect, this study focuses on the segment of the scroll map, which has been given the consecutive number XII. This section depicts, among other regions, ancient India and this eastern area is also the main focus of this study. Analysis results suggest that a very subjective view found its representation on this part of the Peutinger Map. In particular, limited knowledge of the ancient Indian road network in terms of both contemporary history and culture has been incorporated into the presentation. Nevertheless, it can offer new insights into the major roads on the subcontinent at that time, which we know from literature under the terms Uttarapatha and Dakshinapatha. Unexpected for the author was the topicality of events described in the study after finishing work on this article. So are the worldwide effects of a pandemic in the Roman Empire and beyond in a globalised world of the 2nd century CE also addressed in this study.

This review offers an overview of several devastating historical epidemics and pandemics. The first pandemic ravaging the Middle East and Ancient Egypt was an unidentified "plague" in the late Bronze Age. The plague of Athens was apparently "only" a local epidemic but with fatal consequences for that ancient democracy. Great empires with well-developed trade routes seem to be very susceptible to rapid and devastating spreads as the Antonine Plague, the Plague of Cyprian and the Justinian Plague testify. The great Medieval plague wave in Europe was absolutely devastating, but for the first time it brought along with it substantial containment measures that are still being successfully used today (e.g. isolation, quarantine) as well as the seeds of the development of a new form of medical theory and practice. The blame game that can be observed in the current COVID-19 pandemic has also been seen in previous epidemics and pandemics. Particularly in the case of syphilis, its origin was often attributed to foreign countries. Finally, the paper comparatively stresses the historical importance of an early implementation of a lockdown-based approach as an effective form of controlling epidemic spreads. Riassunto. Le epidemie e le pandemie nella storia dell'umanità e la maniera tenuta dai governi nel gestirle. Una review dall'Età del Bronzo alla prima Età moderna Questa rassegna offre una panoramica su diverse devastanti epidemie e pandemie nella storia. La prima pandemia che ha devastato il Medio Oriente e l'antico Egitto è stata una "peste" non ancora identificata alla fine dell'Età del Bronzo. La Peste di Atene fu apparentemente "solo" un'epidemia locale, ma con conseguenze fatali per l'antica democrazia. Grandi imperi con vie commerciali ben sviluppate sembrano essere molto suscettibili alla rapida e devastante diffusione epidemica, come testimoniano la Peste Antonina, la Peste di Cipriano e la Peste di Giustiniano. La grande ondata epidemica di peste nell'Europa medievale si è rivelata assolutamente devastante, ma per la prima volta ha portato con sé sostanziali misure di contenimento che ancora oggi vengono utilizzate con successo (ad es. isolamento, quarantena) e lo sviluppo di una nuova forma di teoria e pratica medica. Il gioco dell'incolparsi vicendevolmente che si può osservare nell'attuale pandemia di COVID-19 può, inoltre, essere osservato anche nelle precedenti epidemie e pandemie. In particolare nel caso della sifilide, l'origine del morbo era spesso attribuita a nazioni straniere. L'articolo, infine, sottolinea in maniera comparativa l'importanza storica dell'applicazione precoce di un approccio basato sul confinamento quale forma di di efficace forma di controllo delle diffusioni epidemiche.

Explores issues surrounding the existence of 55 nearly identical dedicatory reliefs throughout Roman Lycia, raising new questions of their precise link to divinatory practices, Hellenization of local gods, continuity of religion in Lycia, etc., while also putting this unique series in the context of dedicatory reliefs found in rural Lycia and Pisidia.  Suggests possible link to plague or some other crisis afflicting the region (if not the whole of the Roman Empire).

In this article the authors of an original publication on the so‑called
Porus medallions of Alexander the Great published a few years ago in the Journal
of the Numismatic Association of Australia respond to some criticism addressed at
their study by F. Holt in issue 15 of this journal (pp. 13–20). The authors’ rebuttal
is based on mathematical principles and textual analysis.

High levels of hoarding are often associated with crises. While the 3rd century AD has often been seen as the most significant example of such a phenomenon, the reign of Marcus Aurelius (161-180) was likewise afflicted with multiple disasters, and is similarly associated with an increased level in deposition of hoards. Significant increases in hoarding have often been attributed to conflict and fear of conflict. This could explain such an occurrence throughout Marcus' reign, but evidence from certain areas suggests that there were likely other causes. Switzerland and Britain, despite not facing conflict during this period, still have a high number of hoards dating to Marcus' reign. Additionally, an increase of hoards occurs along the Rhine frontier. Some were close to sites with burnt layers suggestive of German invasion, but this increase occurs throughout the frontier, even in areas such as Moesia Superior, where there is no trace of conflict. While conflict did not occur in all areas of the Empire, the plague would likely have had some impact across all the provinces. As a universal event, this could explain the universal increase in hoarding during Marcus' reign. While conflict certainly would have played a role in this phenomenon in certain areas, this poster stresses the role of the plague was a significant factor.

The paper focuses on the Antonine-Plague’s consequences from an economic-political and philosophical-cultural perspective. Exploiting analogies with the Malthusian model used to interpret the wage growth of the post-Black Death of the fourteenth century, the authors underline how the measures implemented by Roman institutions jointly with the degree of technological diffusion may have contained the effects of a probable scarcity of workforce caused by the epidemic. The analysis suggests that the institutions and technological diffusion may have acted as a “brake” both to the Malthusian dynamic and to the workers claims for higher real wage, preventing a “break point” in the economic-political fabric comparable to that caused by the Black Death. On the contrary, it seems more reasonable to suppose a principle for a revolution in the philosophical-cultural sphere. In the light of sociological studies, the authors analyse the practices adopted by both Christian and Pagan communities to combat the Antonine-Plague’s mortality. The capacity of the Christian community to provide more effective responses than Pagan one during the epidemic could have been one of the key factors for the success of this philosophy in the following centuries. The paper concludes with a section that compares, using all possible precautions, the Antonine Plague with nowadays Coronavirus pandemic.

This essay traces a history of the Antonine Plague, of the effects of this epidemic – probably of smallpox – that hit for more than 20 years the Roman world from 165 A.D., and its economic impact on the life of the empire. This disease, in fact, influenced the imperial structure during the third century A.D. After have outlined a general framework of the Antonine Plague, the authors focus their attention on the economic consequences of the pandemic. Then, they speak about Aquileia Romana, an Italian city devastated by the plague, and also step of the Danubian Journey made by the emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus at the beginning of the explosion of the disease. Finally, They study the Greek and Latin sources who described the Antonine Plague. Résumé Cet essai tente une histoire de la Peste Antonine, et des effets de cette épidémie, probablement de variole, qui a frappé pendant plus de vingt ans le monde romain à partir de 165 après J.-C., ainsi que de son impact économique sur la vie de l'empire. Cette épidémie affecta radicalement la structure impériale au long du troisième siècle après J.-C. Après avoir posé le cadre général de la Peste Antonine, les auteurs se concentrent sur les conséquences économiques de la maladie. Ils parlent de l'Aquilée romaine, ville italienne dévastée par la peste, et étape du Voyage Danubien effectué par les empereurs Marc Aurèle et Lucius Verus au moment de l'éclosion de la pandémie. Ils étudient les sources grecques et latines qui ont décrit cette peste Antonine. Libera nos Domine a folgore et tempestate, a peste, a fame et bello. Ancienne Rogation chrétienne

El Imperio Romano sufrió entre el siglo II y III dos grandes pestes, la Peste Antonina, de la cual existe bibliografía, y la Peste de Cipriano, que es menos conocida. Como una visión de conjunto, ambas pandemias se asemejan a la crisis que en el 2020 el coronavirus está generando en muchos aspectos de la vida humana. Este artículo se centra en el impacto que la peste de Cipriano tuvo en el contexto de la crisis del siglo III; su mortalidad se estima entre 10-20% de la población en los lugares afectados y finalmente sus efectos generaron varias de las condiciones necesarias para la transición del mundo antiguo al medieval. Se trata de comprender cómo el ciclo de pestes que va desde el siglo II al siglo III cambió la fisonomía del mundo romano y que lecciones nos entrega la historia 1700 años después.

Diapositive con le quali ho accompagnato una lezione tenuta il 25 marzo 2021 per il dottorato di ricerca in Scienze storiche e archeologiche. Memorie, civiltà e patrimonio dell'Università di Bologna. La lezione si è incentrata sugli stimoli che vengono da una lettura di K. Harper, The Fate of Rome: Climate, Disease and the End of an Empire, Princeton – Oxford 2017.

This is the second of a three‐section review of Kyle Harper's The Fate of Rome in which we examine in detail Harper's treatment of two allegedly widespread and mortal Roman outbreaks of disease. In the case of the second‐ century Antonine plague, we demonstrate that Harper overlooked a major controversy and instead portrayed an oversimplified narrative of a catastrophic event. In the case of the third‐century Cyprianic plague, we call attention to several glaring methodological issues in Harper's treatment of the episode, point out the absence of corresponding evidence in the papyri, and cast doubt on the linkage previously drawn between the plague and archaeology.

The influence that meteorological, climatological and environmental factors had on historical disease outbreaks is often speculated upon, but little investigated. Here, we explore potential associations between pandemic disease and climate over the last 2,500 years in Mediterranean history, focusing on ancient disease outbreaks and the Justinianic plague in particular. We underscore variation in the quality, quantity and interpretation of written evidence and proxy information from natural archives, the comlexity of identifying and disentangling past climatological and environmental drivers, and the need to integrate diverse methodologies to discern past climate-disease linkages and leverage historical experiences to prepare for the rapid expansion of novel pathogenic diseases. Although the difficulties entailed in establishing historical climate-pandemic linkages persist to the present, this is a research area as urgent as it is complex and historical perspectives are desperately n...

This paper concentrates on the archaeological aspects of the rural cemeteries and their potential for the study of regional settlement dynamics. The site of Oymaağaç Höyük is situated in the Samsun Province, 7 km to the north of the town of Vezirköprü, on the west end of the village Oymaağaç Köyü. The excavations going on since 2007 yielded cist graves, stone-lined graves, tile graves and simple pit graves. The human remains from the graves are studied by Sherry Fox and Kathryn Marklein. Although all the graves are inhumations oriented roughly W-E, the burial ritual inside the cemetery differs substantially in terms of interment numbers - some tombs seem to be mass graves, others rather multi-generational successive burials, while the rest is to be classified as individual graves. The mass graves seem to have resulted from a non-violent catastrophic event, likely an epidemics or a famine, between the 2nd and the 4th century AD. In order to put the graves into a historical setting, the scarce dating evidence is discussed in detail - numismatics, 14C dates, pottery and special focus is put on the differentiation between Roman and Byzantine tiles.

The influence that meteorological, climatological and environmental factors had on historical disease outbreaks is often speculated upon, but little investigated. Here, we explore potential associations between pandemic disease and climate over the last 2,500 years in Mediterranean history, focusing on ancient disease outbreaks and the Justinianic plague in particular. We underscore variation in the quality, quantity and interpretation of written evidence and proxy information from natural archives, the comlexity of identifying and disentangling past climatological and environmental drivers, and the need to integrate diverse methodologies to discern past climate-disease linkages and leverage historical experiences to prepare for the rapid expansion of novel pathogenic diseases. Although the difficulties entailed in establishing historical climate-pandemic linkages persist to the present, this is a research area as urgent as it is complex and historical perspectives are desperately n...

Visit www.brown.edu/go/ancientpandemics for more information and registration.

Webinar recordings can be viewed on YouTube:

Kyle Harper - https://youtu.be/DDQ-RJenT3c
Andrew Wilson - https://youtu.be/RKjKi6qKNHI
Hunter Gardner - https://youtu.be/F3S9PrrzbUA
Marcel Keller - https://youtu.be/nspgvzMgFaM