The Black Death

Plagues of all types have haunted humans since the dawn of civilization. One of the worst plagues to strike was during the mid 1300s. This plague was so deadly it became known as the Black Death.

The Black Death began to be seen in Europe in 1347 and lasted for nearly four years. During this time in history, Europeans were doing much trade with those living in Asia. Unfortunately, trading did not just bring new goods to the Europeans; it also brought new diseases. The unsuspecting adventurers never realized they were importing rats, who came as stowaways, into the previously uninfected areas. These rats carried with them the deadly plague, which quickly spread to the human inhabitants of the area.

Various diseases were a part of the Black Death. The bubonic plague was one type of disease that spread quickly throughout Europe during the middle 1300s. Some of the diseases could even spread through the air, and those infected would be dead in less than twenty-four hours. Literally, millions of people died as a result of the deadly sickness. No wonder history has given this plague the name the Black Death.