The effects of the bubonic plague, also known as the “black death,” are perhaps best understood by its effect on 14th century Europe, Asia, and Africa. Plague doctors patrolled the streets of European towns and cities, vainly applying the ancient yet accepted theory of humors to treat victims. By the time the plague had begun to taper off, it had claimed the lives of 200 million people across the world, and even then it continued to kill millions in smaller intervals for centuries after (via History.com). 

While deadliest from 1346 to 1352, the comparatively less deadly outbreaks of previous centuries are thought to have also been the work of this ailment. The Antonine and Justinian plagues for instance, which killed millions in ancient Rome, are believed to have been instances of the bubonic plague reaching Europe via the Silk Road or overseas trade. The earlier Greek Plague of Athens may have been an example of the disease as well, though other causes are equally entertained (via Ranker). Yet as the Smithsonian reports, the bubonic plague’s earliest infections may have predated even all of these events by thousands of years. 

The bacteria that caused the Bubonic plague has existed for at least 5,000 years

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