The Plague Of Justinian: Overview, Effects And Learnings

Today, thinking about a plague claiming the lives of millions seems more relatable after we witnessed the recent COVID-19 pandemic. However, back in 542 CE, the reign of Emperor Justinian I saw one of history’s worst outbreaks– a plague that claimed the lives of millions within a single year. The Plague of Justinian began in about 541 CE and spread across the Byzantine Empire and beyond, killing about 10% of the world’s population.

This was during the time when Justinian was actively working on restoring the state, rebuildinging its infrastructure and trade routes. He was doing this rather successfully until the plague broke out in his empire. The plague spread like wildfire and by 543 CE it had spread all across the empire leaving a trail of devastation that hindered Justinian’s attempts of restorations and weakened the empire significantly.

What Was Justinian’s Plague? 

Justinian’s Plague was a deadly pandemic that struck the Byzantine Empire in 541-542 CE, under the reign of Emperor Justinian I. It was the first known historically documented pandemic and the first outbreak of the bubonic plague.

It is believed that the plague first hit the Mediterranean region. From there, it made its way through Constantinople by 541 CE before spreading westwards to other parts of the world including Europe, North Africa and Asia, severely impacting the socio-economic fabric of the empire.

The Justinianic Plague was the first part of the three similar bubonic pandemics. For the same reason, it is referred to as the “First Plague Pandemic” followed by the “Second Plague Pandemic” (also known as the Black Death) and subsequently the “Third Plague Pandemic”. This can be seen when comparing Justinian’s Plague with other historic pandemics like the Black Death, as both pandemics had similar causes and consequences but occurred nearly 800 years apart.

The plague infamously got its name from the ruler Justinian. It was believed that the way Justinian handled the crisis was as bad as the plague itself, hence the name to signify that.

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What Caused Justinian’s Plague?

The bubonic plague has existed as long as humans have been around. In fact, scientists traced the DNA of Yersinia pestis bacteria– the pathogen that causes the disease–in the remains of late Neolithic-era humans (4500-2000 BCE).

According to historians, where the plague originated is still unknown. Some sources trace it back to Africa whereas other evidence claims that it originated from Central Asia. However, studies indicate that the Yersinia pestis bacteria thrives in rodents and transmits to humans via fleas. It is believed that the bacteria was transported through trade routes. 

Poor sanitation and crowded urban conditions contributed to the rapid spread of the plague. The bacteria caused three forms of plague: bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic, with bubonic being the most common and deadly.

Additionally, there were also some religious interpretations of Justinian’s Plague as many thought it was a divine punishment for the sins of humankind. Some even called Justinian a devil who was getting punished by God. 

How The Plague Of Justinian Affect The Population 

There was a major impact of Justinian’s plague on Constantinople as the plague devastated the Byzantine Empire’s population. This was a time when Justinian was trying to conquer the Roman Empire and solidify his rule. However, the disease claimed the lives of farmers, soldiers and other members of the society, making operations impossible. 

This caused widespread panic and had long term effects on trade, agriculture, and military operations. The agricultural sector was affected the most due to loss of farmers, leading to food shortages and an economic downfall. Trade was also severely disrupted as fear of further spread of the bacteria. The military was weakened, as there were no soldiers to replace the ones lost to the disease. The Byzantine Empire struggled to combat the plague, with Emperor Justinian himself falling ill but eventually recovering.

There was a sharp decline in the population and by 568 CE his empire began to fall. Historians consider it a turning point in the Byzantine era, as it weakened the empire significantly, setting the stage for its eventual decline.

On the contrary, some studies suggest that these facts are exaggerated and that the plague had no immediate effect on the societies. 

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How Many People Died In the Plague Of Justinian? 

Although it’s difficult to calculate the exact number of people who died due to the plague, rough estimates suggest that between 25 and 50 million people died over multiple outbreaks. This accounted for almost 10-15% of the world’s population at the time. Some estimates indicate that the plague claimed around 5,000 lives a day in Constantinople, reducing its population by 40%. 

Historians describe the horrid scenes of bodies piling up in the streets with no place left to bury them. The situation was so bad that they had to remove the bodies from the city and arrange for mass burials outside the walls. 

Here are some of the common symptoms of the plague noted at that time: 

• Headache
• Fever
• Chills
• Swollen or tender lymph nodes
• Abdominal pain
• Gangrene
• Nightmares

While not everyone faced the same symptoms, these were some of the common symptoms and causes of the Justinian’s Plague during the 6th century.

Why Does Justinian’s Plague Stands Out In The Present Day 

Justinian’s Plague stands out in history because of its long-term consequences on the Byzantine Empire and its significance as one of the first recorded pandemics. The dramatic population decline had far-reaching effects on the empire’s economy, weakening its ability to defend itself and maintain its borders. 

The plague of Justinian is still relevant today when it comes to scientific research. Scientists continue to study it because the bacterium responsible for the pandemic, Yersinia pestis, is still present in modern times. Understanding the spread and evolution of the bacteria provides critical insights into how pandemics function. Scientists examine the genetic material of the victims to understand the mutations and patterns. 

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Learnings From The Plague Of Justinian

So, how long did Justinian’s Plague last and how did it finally end? The plague continued in intervals until the mid-8th century, lasting over 200 years. It eventually subsided as natural herd immunity increased and as trading activities reduced during the empire’s decline.

Over the span of these 200 years, the plague taught valuable lessons that are even relevant in today’s world. It provided valuable lessons in terms of public health and crisis management. Such historical episodes provided the foundation that helped in modern practices for similar outbreaks 

The Justinian Plague, a global catastrophic event, reminds us of the fragile balance between society and nature, and how quickly a pandemic can alter the course of history. 

The historical significance of the plague of Justinian in world history cannot be overstated. It was one of the first pandemics to ravage entire empires, leaving a long-lasting impact.