A continuation of the Justinian Plague: The Plague of Amwas, hit greater Syria in 638, just as the Muslim conquest was in full swing. It took out tens of thousands in the army camps and local populations. Significantly, it killed many of the Muslim leadership, including Yazid ibn Abi Sufyan. This resulted in his brother’s appointment as the new commander of the army in Syria: Mu’awiya ibn Abi Sufyan. Later, as govenor of Damascus, he contested the caliphate of Ali, leading to the Sunni/Shia split. Mu'awiya eventually became Caliph himself—the beginnings of the Umayyad Caliphate.
Here in Venice we still celebrate the end of two waves of plague. In July there are the festive celebrations of Redentore that finish with an hour of fireworks at midnight and in November is the solemn usually foggy day of Salute when we eat Castradina in honor of the Dalmatians that fed the city when it was cut off from the world.
Yersinia pestis is still endemic to wild rodent populations - prairie dogs, chipmunks, voles, etc. - in western North America. It can spread to carnivores which eat them, including the domestic cat. Timely antibiotic treatment prevents fatal cases in humans, but antibiotic resistance is a growing concern.
Well, Alberta tries to remain rat free. It has 1,800 kilometres of border with British Columbia and 1,200 km of border with Saskatchewan, and rats sneak over the borders from both sides regularly. Alberta has good reason to not tolerate them. Neither black rats, which carry yersinia pestis, nor brown rats are indigenous to North America. Fascinatingly, the rising prevalence of the brown rat over the black is probably what slowed down the plague in Europe and is keeping it out of eastern North America: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-rats-took-over-north-america/
This is so fascinating. I always thought this was a medieval illness I had no idea is was something so old. You learn something new each day. I guess I'm done for to day! ;)
As an expat/immigrant/archaeologist in Norway, I find it fascinating that evidence of the Black Death has carried down to present times in place names and surnames such as Ødegård (Oedegaard) which means Abandoned/wiped out farm (from the Plague).
Love the writing and appreciate the references! I wonder how viruses and bacteria ends its journey of death for its hosts and yet manage to wield its power again....
And are still doing so. This doc is based on a book set during the San Francisco plague of 1900, which we have mostly forgotten about because of the earthquake and fire.
A continuation of the Justinian Plague: The Plague of Amwas, hit greater Syria in 638, just as the Muslim conquest was in full swing. It took out tens of thousands in the army camps and local populations. Significantly, it killed many of the Muslim leadership, including Yazid ibn Abi Sufyan. This resulted in his brother’s appointment as the new commander of the army in Syria: Mu’awiya ibn Abi Sufyan. Later, as govenor of Damascus, he contested the caliphate of Ali, leading to the Sunni/Shia split. Mu'awiya eventually became Caliph himself—the beginnings of the Umayyad Caliphate.
All because of a wee flea.
Here in Venice we still celebrate the end of two waves of plague. In July there are the festive celebrations of Redentore that finish with an hour of fireworks at midnight and in November is the solemn usually foggy day of Salute when we eat Castradina in honor of the Dalmatians that fed the city when it was cut off from the world.
Yersinia pestis is still endemic to wild rodent populations - prairie dogs, chipmunks, voles, etc. - in western North America. It can spread to carnivores which eat them, including the domestic cat. Timely antibiotic treatment prevents fatal cases in humans, but antibiotic resistance is a growing concern.
Interesting side issue about Alberta as the largest rat-free area in the world.
https://www.thisamericanlife.org/801/must-be-rats-on-the-brain/act-three-34
Well, Alberta tries to remain rat free. It has 1,800 kilometres of border with British Columbia and 1,200 km of border with Saskatchewan, and rats sneak over the borders from both sides regularly. Alberta has good reason to not tolerate them. Neither black rats, which carry yersinia pestis, nor brown rats are indigenous to North America. Fascinatingly, the rising prevalence of the brown rat over the black is probably what slowed down the plague in Europe and is keeping it out of eastern North America: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-rats-took-over-north-america/
Whenever I feel modern times are tough and scary, I remember how absurdly much worse it has been in the past.
Central heating / air conditioning alone makes the present better than almost any point in history!
Another fantastic post by M.E.Rothwell. I am always struck by the depth of his reporting on the topics he covers.
This is so fascinating. I always thought this was a medieval illness I had no idea is was something so old. You learn something new each day. I guess I'm done for to day! ;)
As an expat/immigrant/archaeologist in Norway, I find it fascinating that evidence of the Black Death has carried down to present times in place names and surnames such as Ødegård (Oedegaard) which means Abandoned/wiped out farm (from the Plague).
That’s fascinating! I guess that’s where the Arsenal player’s name comes from. Mind blown! 🤯
Fascinating read.
Great article, thank you very much
This feels so much more real to me in the post-pandemic world, like I’ve somehow grasped on a visceral level that we’re a part of history.
Love the writing and appreciate the references! I wonder how viruses and bacteria ends its journey of death for its hosts and yet manage to wield its power again....
Gruesome. And scary as climate changes.
And are still doing so. This doc is based on a book set during the San Francisco plague of 1900, which we have mostly forgotten about because of the earthquake and fire.
https://www.pbs.org/video/plague-at-the-golden-gate-dhdrto/
Thank you for packing so much interesting information into a digestible segment.
Good to know.
Love the references included.