Plagues and Pandemics in the Ancient and Medieval World, an Introduction

Find this audio article on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5g1P0WggQ4 If you like our audio articles, please support us by becoming a member or donating to our non-profit company: - www.ancient.eu/membership/ - www.ancient.eu/donate/ - www.patreon.com/ahe The word plague, referring to a lethal epidemic, was coined by the physician Galen who lived through the Antonine Plague of 165-c.190 CE, and when we classify a plague, we are referring to a contagious bacterial disease. The term ‘pandemic’ which comes from the greek word pandemos can be broken down to ‘pan’ meaning ‘all’, and ‘demos’ meaning ‘people’ and refers to a disease which is prevalent over an entire country, or the world.