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540
Outbreak in Pelusium, Egypt
The outbreak of the “Bubonic Plague” reaches Elysium, Egypt in 540 A.D. There were traced insects that were carriers of the disease during this time. This was one of the first known and recorded outbreaks, and following this outbreak, the disease spread. It later reaches and infects Constantinople greatly. -
542
Plague reaches Constantinople
Next, the plague reaches Constantinople in 540 A.D. Except, the plague does not affect the people till much later. Although, this event is significant because this is the turning point in Constantinople, where a tragic epidemic came to a start. The Bubonic Plague later becomes an issue in 1334. -
Jan 1, 1334
Plague affects Constantinople
In 1334, the Bubonic Plague affects Constantinople greatly. Although the plague had been lingering for a very long time, 1334 is the year when the plague truly changed Constantinople. Large ships carried large amounts of high quality goods over an extensive trade route that linked Genoa and Venice with Constantinople and Crimea. Italian ships sent from Kaffa arrived in Constantinople in 1334, carrying the Bubonic Plague aboard. This is significant to the development of the Bubonic Plague because -
Period: Jan 1, 1339 to Jan 1, 1346
Famine
In 1339-1346, the famine occurs, lasting a dreadful seven years. The famine is known for being the “famine before the plague.” A big reason why the famine accured is because of the failure of Justinian’s attempt to re-conquer land from the Western Empire. This caused a sense of isolation for Europe. The famine was such an awful period of lack of food, housing, and the Bubonic Plague made it so much worse. -
Jan 1, 1347
Plague Starts to Spread Through Western Europe
In the year 1347, the Black Plague started to spread throughout Western Europe. This began a string of events, the plague spreading to Alexandria, Cyprus, and Sicily. Along with Constantinople, Western Europe is believed to receive the plague mainly from trading via large boats. -
Jan 1, 1347
Plague reaches France and Germany
In addition, in January of 1348, the Bubonic Plague hits France and Germany. First, the plague affected France, spreading to Germany and Scandenavia. The cause of this was taken place in October 1347, when trading ships fleeing Caffa arrived to the port of Messina located in Sicily. Every crew member was infected or dead, and it is assumed that the ship possibly carried infected rats and/or fleas. -
Great Plague of London begins
The Great Plague of London was the last major epidemic to infect people in Europe. This was the second and last major outbreak in Europe. The Great Plague took over 100,000 lives, which is 25% of their population. This is significant because the second outbreak of the Bubonic plague not only killed hundreds of thousands, but truly tore apart Europe. -
Massive Affect on people
During the Great Plague of London, the people were truly devastated to be loosing loved ones and seeing their society crumble. It especially affected the poor people, because unlike the wealthy citizens, they couldn’t leave the city for safety. -
Great Fire of London
On September 3rd, 1666, the Great Fire of London destroyed most of London, and most of the epidemic. This fire destroyed all of the city of London, devastating many. Many people were upset about their properties and belongings destroyed. Although, the Great Fire of London did help end the epidemic. The fire killed a large amount of the infected rodents and flees, slowly killing the epidemic. This event is very significant to the Bubonic Plague, because the Great Fire of London stopped more and m -
Balkans battle the Plague
Finally, in 1770 the Balkans battled the plague. Habsburg established a “cordon sanitaire”. This was an invisible line dividing the infected and clean parts of the continent, running from Danube to the Balkans.
