Cold Snaps and Plagues: Uncovering the Roman Empire's Climate Connection
TL;DR
New research suggests that cold snaps during the Roman era may have triggered devastating pandemics, with the three largest pandemics coinciding with abrupt and deep cold periods. The study, which analyzed sediment cores from the Gulf of Taranto, revealed climate variations between 200 B.C. and A.D. 600, linking specific cold periods to major pandemics such as the Antonine Plague and the Plague of Justinian. The correlation between cold climate phases and disease outbreaks highlights the potential impact of climate change on ancient societies and offers insights into the challenges faced by societies today.
- Devastating Roman-era plagues were ushered in by cold snaps, study finds Livescience.com
- The Roman Empire's Worst Plagues Were Linked to Climate Change Scientific American
- Plagues in Roman Italy Linked to Climate Change, Scientists Say Newsweek
- Plagues that shook the Roman Empire linked to cold, dry periods New Scientist
- Cold, dry snaps accompanied three plagues that struck the Roman Empire Science News Magazine
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