Impact of the Black Death - Essay Example

Impact of Black Death Impact of Black Death Byrne, J. (2004). The Black Death (Greenwood guides to historic events of the medieval world). Greenwood: Greenwood publisher. ISBN-10: 0313324921. Examines the introduction and guides the greatest natural disaster that occurred in humanity. It is replete by illustrations, primary documents and biographical sketches. The Black Death has been regarded in many historical events. It is the greatest natural disaster that ever cursed humanity which killed between a quarters to half of the whole population.

Historians have suspected that the first wave of this bubonic plague struck the population around Mediterranean in 571 to 760 C.E. It is also believed that the plague might have been carried away to the west up to Constantinople by the fighting Mongols during the late 1340s. After this, it is also believed that the Genoese traders might have been infected and spread the disease further to Europe ports in the north. After two years, approximately the whole of Europe and some parts of North Africa states were infected by this dreaded disease.

It is believed medieval doctors might have proposed that a miasmatic vapor was the primary causal infection and improper balance in our blood fluids. This includes the black bile, phlegm, yellow bile and blood. The body humor imbalance is believed to have been caused by the ominous astrological alignments. The Jews were murdered as the scapegoats due to the spread of this disease. Some people believed that the plague was a punishment from God for the human wickedness and they roamed the whole country flagellating themselves to show the atonement act.

The reader is guided by eight themes in the plague’s medical perspectives. These perspectives are either modern or medieval. This discusses the impact the plague had on cities, society, the art of time and individuals. An annotated timeline tries to explain specific dates and events of this disaster. Furthermore, nine illustrations have been used to show how the artists represented impacts of the plague on the society and individuals. There are about twelve primary documents most of which have never been translated to English, are sorted from eyewitnesses in Damascus, Constantinople, Prague, Germany, Italy and England.

There is a glossary that has been provided to enable readers familiarize themselves with historical and medical terms such as peasant’s revolt of the 1381, verjuice, and bacillus. Lastly, it is followed by an annotated bibliography which is divided by topics. Actually, this work of art is fully indexed. ReferenceByrne, J. (2004). The Black Death (Greenwood guides to historic events of the medieval world). Greenwood: Greenwood publisher.