Black Death

Origin of the plague

1320

Plague originates in modern-day Mongolia, spreading quickly among the rodent population there. The Yersinia Pestis bacteria uses rodents as a host, such as marmots or rats. Fleas that live on those rodents end up becoming infected with the bacteria, but Y. Pestis knows not to kill them. When the rodent eventually dies from the Plague, the flea (now carrying plenty of Y. Pestis) will jump to a new host and infect it with their bite.

Outbreak in China

1331

The plague spreads from Mongolia into China by way of the Tarabagan, a type of Marmot that became infected with Y. Pestis due to the fleas carrying the bacteria. It begins quickly spreading from person to person. The Mongol capitol of Sarai is devastated, and millions die in China. 13 Million people confirmed dead.

Spread Along the Silk Road

1346

The Silk Road dominates the world of trade from 500-1500. With the outbreak of plague in East Asia, it was only a matter of time until human migration and movement carried the disease to the West. The Mongol Empire played a direct role in establishing more direct contact between East and West as Mongol armies expanded the Empire all the way to Russia and the Crimea. Death toll is unknown, but estimated to be in the thousands.

Spread to Constantinople

1347

Constantinople welcomes the ships from Caffa with open arms as fellow Christians. One of the largest cities in the world at this point, the city would end up losing up to 90% of it's population to the plague.

Arrival at the Port-City of Kaffa

1347

The Mongol armies get into a brawl with some Italians at Kaffa in the Crimea. The Mongols lay siege to the city, until an outbreak of plague occurs in the army. In an act of spite, Janiberg orders that the bodies of those who died from the plague be catapulted over the walls of the city to infect the defenders. In order to escape the disease, 4 ships sailed out of Kaffa, unknowingly carrying the disease aboard their ships. Several unknown thousands die, both from plague and war.

On to Italy

1347

Genoese ships from Kaffa flee to their home port of Genoa, but few on board remain alive. Those at the docks tried to repel the boats, but the damage had been done, and the plague was now in Europe. Some cities lost almost all their inhabitants: in Venice at least three-quarters died. In Pisa seven-tenths of the inhabitants died, and many families were completely destroyed. It is estimated that 1.5 to 2 million total people died from the plague in Italy, roughly a third of the population.

Arrival in Western Europe

1347

The last of the Kaffan plague ships arrives in Marseilles in the south of France. It quickly spreads from there on to Spain and Portugal, Germany, and England. The plague spreads rapidly, killing millions indiscriminately over the course of the next 4 years. It is estimated that in Western Europe alone, roughly 50 million people die from the plague, about half the population at the time.

Death Leads to Hate

1348

The plague also moves through Austria and Switzerland, where a fury of anti-Semitic massacres follow it along the Rhine after a rumor spreads that Jews had caused the plague by poisoning wells. In towns throughout Germany and France, Jewish communities are completely annihilated. In response, King Casimir III of Poland offers a safe haven to the persecuted Jews, starting a mass migration to Poland and Lithuania. Marseilles is also considered a safe haven for Jews.

Aftermath of the Plague Pt. 1

1353

The plague’s spread significantly begins to fizzle out, possibly thanks to quarantine efforts, after causing the deaths of anywhere between 25 to 50 million people, and leading to the massacres of 210 Jewish communities. All total, Europe has lost about 50 percent of its population.

Aftermath of the Plague Pt. 2

1353

The combination of the massive death rate and the numbers of survivors fleeing their homes sends entrenched social and economic systems spiraling. It becomes easier to get work for better wages and the average standard of living rises. With the feudal system dying, the aristocracy tries to pass laws preventing any further rise by the peasants. The plague provides many with opportunities, directly leading to the Renaissance and a more youthful, enlightened period of human history.