​​​Plague of Cyprian: Reassessing the Unusual Plague of the Ancient World

[guy]

 

Rome faced numerous epidemics and localized outbreaks, such as malaria, intestinal parasites, localized fevers, and gastrointestinal diseases. Among the most recognized "plagues" of the ancient world, four stand out:

1. Plague of Athens (430-426 BCE)
2. Antonine Plague (AD 165-180)
3. Cyprian Plague (AD 249-270)
4. Justinian Plague (AD 541-549)

The Cyprian Plague is particularly unique among these four pandemics. 

The Plague of Athens, which is thought to have contributed to the death of Pericles, is believed to have been caused by typhoid fever, transmitted through contaminated water and food. While scavenger animals reportedly died during this outbreak, it was likely due to high levels of endotoxin found in human victims.

The cause of the Antonine Plague is believed to be smallpox, measles, or another infection.

The Justinian Plague was caused by the “bubonic plague” virus (pictured below), Yersinia pestis (confirmed by ancient DNA). It is transmitted by fleas, often carried by rats.

https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/justinianic-plague-was-nothing-like-flu-and-may-have-hit-england-before-constantinople

 

In contrast, the Cyprian Plague stands out as the most biologically puzzling of the four. Its symptoms and transmission patterns do not align with any known ancient pathogens. Contemporary accounts describe catastrophic gastrointestinal bleeding, vomiting, conjunctival hemorrhage, and progressive limb necrosis—symptoms that resemble viral hemorrhagic fevers more than those of smallpox or measles. 

 

Quote

Cyprian: De Mortalitate: This trial, that now the bowels, relaxed into a constant flux, discharge the bodily strength; that a fire originated in the marrow ferments into wounds of the fauces; that the intestines are shaken with a continual vomiting; that the eyes are on fire with the injected blood; that in some cases the feet or some parts of the limbs are taken off by the contagion of diseased putrefaction; that from the weakness arising by the maiming and loss of the body, either the gait is enfeebled, or the hearing is obstructed, or the sight darkened;—is profitable as a proof of faith.

Philip Schaff: ANF05. Fathers of the Third Century: Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius, Novatian, Appendix - Christian Classics Ethereal Library

The picture above is a patient with Ebola, showing the hemorrhagic necrosis found in the disease.

 

While its exact cause remains unknown, the Cyprian Plague’s symptoms are consistent with an early filovirus resembling Ebola.

 

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-roman-archaeology/article/plague-of-cyprian-a-revised-view-of-the-origin-and-spread-of-a-3rdc-ce-pandemic/4DD870D473D3DDB1DF0328CE2C7E3280

 

 

 

Edited April 15 by guy