The Plague of Cyprian
The Plague of Cyprian started in Ethiopia around 250 CE and lasted for 20 years. It spread rapidly due to the large amounts of conflict occurring around the empire. At its peak, the plague killed as many as 5000 people per day. Symptoms included diarrhea, vomiting, fever, deafness, blindness, paralysis of the lower body, throat swelling, bleeding from the eyes, and stained mouths. The disease helped to weaken the hold of paganism on the Roman Empire, and ultimately aided in the spread of Christianity, as many people viewed the plague as a failure by the emperor’s and pagan gods.
The Justinian Plague
began during the reign of emperor Justinian I, and spread rapidly because of rats. This outbreak contained the same disease that also afflicted Europe to a much greater extent almost 700 years later: bubonic plague. Between 20-50 million people, as well as many animals, died throughout the Mediterranean, The plague greatly weakened the Byzantine Empire, completely decimating the economic system.
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Originating in China and India, this plague first reached Constantinole in 542 CE and lasted for 225 years. It began during the reign of emperor Justinian I, and spread rapidly because of rats. This outbreak contained the same disease that also afflicted Europe to a much greater extent almost 700 years later: bubonic plague. Between 20-50 million people, as well as many animals, died throughout the Mediterranean, The plague greatly weakened the Byzantine Empire, completely decimating the economic system.