3. Before the Black Death, There Was Justinian’s Plague
The Black Death was history’s deadliest plague. Tragic and lethal as it was, Justinian’s Plague, 541 – 542 AD, gives it a run for its money in deadliness and long-lasting consequences. It was named after the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, during whose reign it occurred – and who came down with it, but survived. Justinian’s Plague is history’s first known recorded pandemic, because it swept across three continents, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Like the Black Death, Justinian’s Plague was caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium. Also like the Black Death, Justinian’s Plague struck with a devastating initial outbreak, followed by several recurrences in succeeding years. By the time the last recurrence ended, Justinian’s Plague had killed an estimated 25 million to 100 million people.