Plague of Justinian


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Plague of Justinian: Plague of Justinian also known as "Black Death". Justinian was Emperor of Eastern Roman Empire and on his empire this decease came so it's known as Plague of Justinian. 
  

Introduction

Before Corona virus, human faced some  serious and dangerous diseases. Which became deadliest for human. There was not only affected human health but also affected to economy. Same as, in Present crisis of Corona virus. As we know very well in present from the starting of 2020 we are facing one of the big crisis which is Corona virus. We have some stories and realities of this virus. This is not only dangerous for our life but it's also negative effect to our Economy & personal activities too. Because we are firstly facing Lock down problems but it's necessary too. 
This is not first time, in past also there is some dangerous decreases among it's, The Plague of Justinian was very danger. Which also known as Black Death. 


Plague of Justinian (541-542 AD)


People died by Plague Diseases
Justinian's Plague


About of The Plague of Justinian

Justinian was Emperor of Eastern Roman Empire. The Plague of Justinian became a pandemic to Eastern Roman and specially in Constantinople (Capital of Eastern Roman). It also affected to  Sasanian Empire and port cities around the entire Mediterranean sea. It spread mainly by trading between countries. Black rats and Fleas were main reasons of Plague of Justinian. Around 30-50 millions people died in this deadliest pandemic in the history.



Leader of Roman Empire
Justinian, Eastern Roman Emperor


This Bacteria caused for Justinian's Plague
Yersinia Pestis
  • Yersinia Pestis Bacteria is the main caused of Plague. It's resulting into death if not treated properly. After, This disease also known as "Black Death".

Origination and Transmission

The Plague of Justinian was origin from Central Asia. It was mainly origin from North India and China because it was main rout for trade to Africa and Europe.


Rats and Fleas were main reason to spread Plague Decease
Transmission

Black rats and Fleas were main reason to transmission of Plague diseases. Central Asia was main route for trade. On that time, Black rats along with Flea traveled on grain ships. Flea bitten human after drunk rat's blood. 

From central Asia plague carried to Africa by trade route and from Africa to Roman empire (Eastern Roman). Africa was main source of grains for the Empire. Main reason was Black rats for Plague diseases. Rats are not able to migrate for long distance from their birthplace but grains are favorite meal of them and they traveled along with grains in the ships. Main point of Plague was Egypt. Plague diseases spread in two direction: North to Alexandria and East to Palestine.

According to Historian Colin Barras, In southern Italy whether was colder than regular weather which directly effect to crops harvests. There was shortage of food and increased movements of people in different regions. Which migrates of Plague diseases by Black rats and Fleas which affected half the population of Europe. Infections of plague increased too fast. Which resulted into millions of death.  Like wise, It became deadliest pandemic of History and known as Justinian's Plague.


People are infected by Plague
Plague of Justinian (541-542 AD)

Symptoms

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Abdominal pain
  • Gangrene
These are some main symptoms of Justinian's Plague. On that time some people also died in short period after infected. In Justinian's Plague, Almost  half of world's population died on that time. 

Treatment

On that time there was two type of Treatments
  1. Treated by medical personnel
  2. Home Remedies
According to William Rosen medical personnel were as primary trained physicians. They studied 4-5 years and taught by trained practitioners at Alexandria. Students received primary knowledge by Greek physician, but there was lack of physicians which motivated to people for Home Remedies.

They took cold-water bath, used some powders, saints and magic rings as a treatment of Plague. But almost all home remedies failed against Plague. Than people turned to go Hospitals and made them quarantining. There was very few people who could survive against Plague. Those people survived who has good immune system and healthy body.

Bibliography


Horgan J. An Assistant Professor of History at Concordia University, Wisconsin in the United States.

Rosen, W. Justinian's Fleas.  

Baras, C. "The Year of Darkness".