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Black Death, Black Plague, Plague, Bubonic Plague
A pandemic is an infectious disease that spreads through the human populations across a large region, or even worldwide, in a short period of time.
The Black Death was a plague pandemic that broke out in parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe between the early 1330s and the 1350s. This disease was called the Black Death because of the black lumps, or buboes, that appeared on the victim's skin. There had been outbreaks of the plague in previous centuries, but the outbreak that occurred in the 14th century was far more deadly than previous ones. By the time the Black Death ran its course, it is estimated that more than a third of the population in Europe had died from it.
What is the Black Death? (2014)
10 mins. The outbreak of the Black Death in the 14th century decimated populations across Europe, Asia and Africa. This programme looks at: the symptoms of the disease, how it was caused and transmitted, and the role poor living conditions and a lack of medical knowledge played in its fast and far reaching spread. Prevailing and sometimes bizarre beliefs about its causes and cures are discussed in this stylised and at times gruesome presentation which is sure to capture viewer attention.
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- Britannica Schools This link opens in a new window
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- World Book Encyclopedia This link opens in a new window
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Spread of the Black Death
Flappiefh. (2018). Spread of the Black Death. [Illustration]
Definitions
- Black Death(Pathology) A contagious, often fatal, epidemic disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, transmitted by the bite of fleas from an infected person or rodent, especially a rat, and characterized by delirium, chills, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and the formation of buboes.
A form of infectious plague that is characterized by the formation of buboes and is transmitted to humans principally by the bite of a flea that has bitten an infected rodent, usually a rat. - Plague(Often used with the, sometimes capitalized: the Plague) The bubonic plague is the pestilent disease caused by the virulent bacterium Yersinia pestis.
To cause suffering or hardship for:
To afflict with a plague - Bubonic PlagueAn epidemic of plague, especially its bubonic form, that occurred in outbreaks between 1347 and 1400. It originated in Asia and then swept through Europe, where it killed about a third of the population.
A pandemic of bubonic plague and related diseases that devastated Europe and Asia in the 14th cent.
An outbreak of virulent plague, especially its bubonic form, that killed large numbers of people throughout Europe and much of Asia in the 14th century.