{"id":10251,"date":"2023-11-30T21:00:15","date_gmt":"2023-11-30T20:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/?p=10251"},"modified":"2023-11-30T21:00:15","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T20:00:15","slug":"what-spread-the-plague-in-ancient-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/what-spread-the-plague-in-ancient-rome\/","title":{"rendered":"What Spread The Plague In Ancient Rome"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Introduction <\/h2>\n

The Plague in Ancient Rome was one of the most fearsome diseases that plagued mankind during antiquity. It wreaked havoc, claimed countless lives and caused disruption everywhere it struck. In Rome, it was no different. In this article, we explore what spread the Plague in Ancient Rome. We learn about the possible causes and effects of the Plague and take a look at how it changed the course of Roman history. We also look at the opinions of experts on the matter, as well as insights into how the Plague may still be with us today.<\/p>\n

Possible Causes <\/h2>\n

When the Plague struck, the Romans had no idea of what was causing it. They suspected a variety of things such as bad air, foul water, and even the gods punishing them for their sins. One of the more popular theories was that of Antonius Musa, a Roman doctor in the time of Emperor Augustus, who believed it was bad air that spread the disease.
\nHowever, his theory wasn’t enough to explain the spread of the Plague. Modern scientists have since determined that it was in fact the bacterium Yersinia Pestis, or bubonic plague, which was spread by infected fleas. These fleas were carried by small mammals, such as rats and mice, which were prevalent in Rome due to its large population. As the rats spread throughout the city, the plague spread with them.<\/p>\n

Cultural Impact <\/h2>\n

The Plague not only had a great physical impact on the citizens of Rome, killing thousands of citizens, but also had a great psychological impact. It caused a great sense of fear and panic, as the citizens felt helpless in the face of such a powerful disease. This was especially true as people began to realize that it was not the gods punishing them, but rather a very real, and very dangerous, disease.
\nThe Romans also believed that the Plague was punishment from the gods for their sins. This caused a huge shift in Roman culture, as citizens began to focus more on religious piety than ever before. This was reflected in the way that their art and literature shifted its focus to more spiritual themes.<\/p>\n

Scientific Knowledge <\/h2>\n

In terms of scientific knowledge, the Romans didn’t have the same understanding of the Plague as we do now. They were not aware that it was a bacterial infection, nor did they know how it spread. Plus, they didn’t have the same level of medical care that we do today, making it extraordinarily difficult to treat the infected. This lack of knowledge, as well as the lack of medical care, meant that the Plague caused even more devastation than it would have if it had hit a more medically advanced society.<\/p>\n

Experiences of Ancient Romans <\/h2>\n