Here is a quick rundown of facts about the Plague of Athens.
1. Peloponnesian War
The Plague of Athens occurred during the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta in 430 BCE. It is believed to have lasted for about 5 years, killing up to one-third of the Athenian population.
2. Cause
The cause of the Plague of Athens is still unknown, although historians have suggested several possible causes, including typhus, smallpox, and Ebola.
3. Symptoms
The symptoms of the plague included fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as painful boils and lesions on the skin. It is believed that those who survived the initial symptoms were often left with long-term health problems.
4. Deaths
Many famous Athenians died from the plague, including the historian Thucydides, who survived the disease but later wrote about its impact on the city in his History of the Peloponnesian War.
5. Lost War
The outbreak of the Plague of Athens had a significant impact on the outcome of the Peloponnesian War. With many of its citizens dead or ill, Athens was weakened, and ultimately lost the war to Sparta.
6. Superstition
During the Plague of Athens, there was a breakdown in social order, and many people turned to religion and superstition for comfort. This led to an increase in religious activity, as well as a rise in the popularity of oracles and prophets.
7. Quarantine
In an effort to contain the spread of the disease, the Athenian government established a quarantine zone outside the city walls. However, this only served to further isolate and weaken the city.
8. Recovery
Despite the devastating impact of the Plague of Athens, the city eventually recovered and went on to become a cultural and intellectual center of the ancient world. The outbreak of the plague is still remembered today as a significant event in the history of Athens and ancient Greece.
