The Black Plague, also known as the Black Death, was a devastating bubonic plague pandemic that ravaged Europe in the mid-14th century. It’s believed to have arrived via ships sailing from the Mediterranean to Italy, spreading rapidly across Sicily and mainland Europe.
Within just a few years, this plague killed an estimated 20 million people, representing over a third of Europe’s population. Major cities like London and Paris lost nearly half their inhabitants in less than a decade. Isolation proved nearly impossible in urban areas, facilitating the disease’s swift spread. The most vulnerable members of society suffered immensely, with countless lives lost and widespread devastation left in its wake.
More than 500 years later, researchers have begun to uncover the origins of this catastrophic event. In 1885, scientist Alexandre Yersin identified the Yersinia pestis bacterium as the cause of the Black Plague. This discovery led to significant scientific advancements and historical clarifications, revealing the true nature of the pandemic.
Today, antibiotics can effectively treat the plague, allowing for full recovery if treatment is promptly administered. However, 14th-century Europeans lacked such remedies, enduring agonizing sickness, sepsis, and ultimately, organ failure leading to death. Let’s explore ten common misconceptions about the Black Plague, correcting the historical record of one of the world’s deadliest pandemics.
1. A Plague By Any Other Name…
The plague wasn’t confined to the years 1347-1351. It appeared at least three times in modern history, with several minor outbreaks as well. The first major outbreak occurred in 541 AD, known as the Plague of Justinian, named after the Byzantine emperor Justinian I.
Justinian’s Plague killed millions over 50 years, mostly dying out by 590 AD, heavily impacting Constantinople. When the plague resurfaced 800 years later, historical records recalled its devastating effects. In the 1340s, the plague was simply referred to as “the pestilence.”
Historians believe this name stemmed from its effects on the body, causing hemorrhaging and gangrene. The term “Black Death” didn’t become widely used until centuries later. Some suggest it originated from the Latin phrase “atra mors,” meaning black or terrible death. This possibility is supported by its use in non-Latin-speaking regions during the 14th century.
The French physician Simon de Covino called it “mors nigra” in a poem in 1350. By the 19th century, this name became the standard. English and Spanish literature from the 1800s refer to the plague using variations of “black death.” [1]
2. Don’t Blame the Rats!
For centuries, rats were blamed for spreading the Black Plague through infected fleas. However, recent research suggests this wasn’t the case.
Rats weren’t as common in 14th-century cities as previously thought. Historical records show few rodent problems in major cities. Additionally, rats on ships likely remained in port areas, minimizing contact with humans.
The more likely culprit was human-to-human contact via fleas and lice. These parasites spread rapidly in densely populated areas, infecting people at alarming rates. This theory is supported by the plague’s spread in northern European cities with minimal rat populations.
Therefore, rats have been wrongly blamed for nearly seven centuries! [2]
3. Instead, Blame Transportation
While rats aren’t to blame, improvements in human transportation contributed to the plague’s rapid spread. The Black Death spread as quickly as 24 miles per day.
Increased inter-regional commerce and improved transportation routes using horses and wagons worsened the spread. The opening of the Silk Road allowed the plague to spread more extensively than prior diseases.
Better trade routes led to increased urbanization. As people moved to cities, crowding facilitated the plague’s spread. Religious pilgrimages also contributed, as thousands gathered and carried the sickness back to their communities.
As the 1340s progressed, the plague devastated nearly every city in its path across Europe. [3]
4. People Didn’t Just Wait to Die
Europeans actively tried to mitigate the plague’s deadly effects. Italians implemented “trentino” periods, 30-day isolation holds for affected regions. When those failed, they extended it to “quarantino,” lasting 40 days. This practice gave us the modern word “quarantine.”
Milan implemented strict quarantines and banned pilgrims from entering the city. Doctors monitored the plague’s spread. While not as advanced as modern policies, Milan was remarkably forward-thinking for the 14th century.
Dubrovnik, known as Ragusa, also took action. In the 1370s, they fenced off their seaport with a 40-day “quarantino” for all travelers. Ships had to wait offshore for nearly six weeks before unloading. The city penalized those violating “plague laws” and hired guards to prevent sick people from entering. [4]
5. It (Probably) Didn’t Produce THAT Nursery Rhyme
The nursery rhyme “Ring around the rosie” is rumored to be a dark reference to the Black Death. The ring of roses represents a rash, and “ashes” refers to sneezing sickness. “We all fall down” signifies death.
However, folklorists argue the rhyme is too modern to be connected to 14th-century Europe. The plague origin story was first mentioned in the Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes in the 1950s. The Opies, its authors, were skeptical of any connection to the plague.
Many “happier” versions of the rhyme exist. Researchers are puzzled by the association with the plague. Yet, the legend persists! [5]
6. The Plague Went on Longer Than You Think
The Black Plague started around 541 AD under Emperor Justinian. For the next eight centuries, it remained mostly dormant, but occasionally resurfaced in small towns and villages. The danger was ever-present.
Scientists estimate the Black Plague killed as many as 100 million people between Justinian’s reign and the 14th-century terror. Recent research found the Yersinia pestis bacterium responsible for three major pandemics: Justinian’s plague, the 14th−century Black Death, and a spread in the early 19th century.
The bubonic plague still exists today. Cases are tracked worldwide. Between 1970 and 2020, the CDC reported nearly 500 cases in the U.S., mostly in rural western areas.
Recent outbreaks have caused deaths elsewhere. In 2021, 100 people were infected and 13 died in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with 60 cases also in Madagascar. [6]
7. Forget about Those Bird Beaks
Plague doctors in bird-like masks and black outfits are well-known images. However, these figures didn’t appear until the 17th century, roughly 300 years after the Black Plague.
Writers began embellishing stories with these masked figures. Physicians started wearing the costume during a plague revival in Paris in the early 1600s.
French physician Charles de Lorme designed the outfit. The heavy overcoat was waxed, and tall boots, a goat leather hat, and gloves protected the extremities. The beaked mask was filled with herbs and medical ointments to filter infection and protect doctors.
The beaks didn’t work, as doctors didn’t understand bacteria. They believed the beak masks filtered out “evil smells,” thought to spread the disease. These masks did not appear during the 14th-century Black Death. [7]
8. The Plague Didn’t Kill Indiscriminately
The plague’s high death toll might suggest it killed everyone, but that’s untrue. Today, the bubonic plague is easily treated with antibiotics. Even back then, the Black Death was less lethal than believed.
Studies of gravesites reveal consistent patterns. The plague selectively targeted the very young, the very old, and those already weakened and unhealthy.
One study of nearly 500 skeletons showed signs of “frailty,” including malnutrition, bone density suggesting viral infections, and lesions. The plague primarily killed those already in poor health.
Given the limited medical care in the 14th century, the “frail” population was extensive. Able-bodied people had a better chance of survival. [8]
9. Most People Didn’t See It as God’s Wrath
In the 14th century, religion and superstition were intertwined. Many believed the plague was “a punishment from God” and sought salvation through forgiveness and spiritual cleansing.
This cleansing took various forms. Processions of self-flagellating Jesus followers sought to “save” local populations. In Germany, Jewish neighborhoods were wiped out in 1348 and 1349 due to the belief they caused the plague. Many prayed openly for God to stop the pestilence.
Doctors, though limited in knowledge, didn’t fully accept the “God’s punishment” theory. Medicine was based on “humors.” Doctors believed diseases were linked to bodily fluids, not God.
They had limited means to treat patients, often resorting to bloodletting, which rarely helped. Some fought “miasma,” or unhealthy air, by burning scented wood or bathing in rose water to drive away plague fumes. [9]
10. Europe Wasn’t the Only Hotspot
Plague history is often dominated by European accounts. But Europe wasn’t the only affected region. The plague likely started in Asia years before reaching Italy.
The Black Plague spread west across the Silk Road, reaching places like Turkey and China. In 2022, scientists found the earliest plague strain in Kyrgyzstan, dating back to 1338.
By the mid-14th century, the plague spread rapidly beyond Europe. Historical documents report deaths in East Asia, the Middle East, and Northern Africa. The plague likely killed as many people there as in Europe.
Some researchers suggest the plague reached southern Africa. Abandoned settlements and archeological discoveries point to a major pandemic sweeping through the African continent. [10]
In summary, the Black Death was a complex historical event marked by numerous misconceptions. From blaming rats to perceiving it solely as divine punishment, many common beliefs are inaccurate. The plague’s spread was significantly influenced by improved transportation, and responses varied from quarantines to superstitious practices. Understanding these nuances provides a more accurate picture of this devastating period in history.
What other historical events do you think have been misunderstood? Leave your comment below!
