Black Death

Quick Facts: Who was Black Death?

Subject:

Black Death

Known for:

A devastating 14th-century plague pandemic that ravaged Eurasia and North Africa.

Died:

Living / None

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Black Death was a plague pandemic that occurred in Europe from 1346 to 1353. It was one of the most fatal pandemics in human history, leading to the death of up to 50 million people, around 30% to 60% of the European population and approximately 33% of the Middle Eastern population. The disease was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which is primarily spread by flea bites, though it may also spread through contact with infected tissues or fluids and, in pneumonic cases, through respiratory droplets. The Black Death had far-reaching population, economic, and cultural effects. It has been tentatively considered as the second plague pandemic, despite each of these outbreaks being separated by around 500–600 years.

Career & Major Achievements

The Black Death was the second great natural disaster to strike Europe during the late Middle Ages (the first one being the Great Famine of 1315–1317). There were further outbreaks throughout the Late Middle Ages. Due to the crisis of the late Middle Ages, the European population did not regain its 14th century level until the 16th century. Outbreaks of the plague recurred around the world until the early 19th century. European writers contemporary with the plague described the disease in Latin as pestis or pestilentia, 'pestilence'; epidemia, 'epidemic'; mortalitas, 'mortality'.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In English prior to the 18th century, the event was called the "pestilence" or "great pestilence", "the plague" or the "great death". Subsequent to the pandemic "the furste moreyn" (first murrain) or "first pestilence" was applied, to distinguish the mid-14th century phenomenon from other infectious diseases and epidemics of plague. The 1347 pandemic plague was not referred to specifically as "black", at the time, in any European language. The expression "black death" had occasionally been applied to other fatal or dangerous diseases. In English, "Black death" was not used to describe this plague pandemic, however, until the 1750s; the term is first attested in 1755, where it translated Danish: den sorte død, lit.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1315: 1315 Milestone — The Black Death was the second great natural disaster to strike Europe during the late Middle Ages (the first one being the Great Famine of 1315–1317).
2. 1346: 1346 Milestone — The Black Death was a plague pandemic that occurred in Europe from 1346 to 1353.
3. 1347: 1347 Milestone — The 1347 pandemic plague was not referred to specifically as "black", at the time, in any European language.
4. 1755: 1755 Milestone — In English, "Black death" was not used to describe this plague pandemic, however, until the 1750s; the term is first attested in 1755, where it translated Danish: den sorte død, lit.

Notable Quotes by Black Death

“The expression 'black death' had occasionally been applied to other fatal or dangerous diseases.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Black Death

True or False: “The term "Black Death" was used to describe the 1347 pandemic in all European languages immediately after it struck.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): In any European language prior to the 18th century, the event was not specifically referred to as "black," though Latin terms like 'mors atra' were used for its lethality.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Margaret I of Denmark — Historical peer (Born in 1353) (1353): Founder of the Kalmar Union, ruling queen of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
• Giovanni Pisano — Historical peer (Died in 1315) (1315): Master Italian sculptor blending French Gothic and Roman antiquity.
• Emperor Fushimi — Historical peer (Died in 1317) (1317): The 92nd Emperor of Japan, whose reign spanned the turbulent late 13th century.
• Madhvacharya — Historical peer (Died in 1317) (1317): Founder of the Dvaita Vedanta school, a major dualistic tradition in Hinduism.
• Catherine of Siena — Historical peer (Born in 1347) (1347): Italian mystic and diplomat whose letters influenced papal and Italian politics.
• Emperor Go-Kameyama — Historical peer (Born in 1347) (1347): 99th Emperor of Japan, last ruler of the Southern Court during the Nanboku-chō period.
• Anacharsis Cloots — Historical peer (Born in 1755) (1755): Prussian nobleman and internationalist anarchist, pivotal figure in the French Revolution.
• Georges Couthon — Historical peer (Born in 1755) (1755): French politician and lawyer, active during the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror.

Frequently Asked Questions about Black Death