In the 14th century the Black Death devastated Europe, killing a very large proportion of the population and wiping out millions across the continent.
Overview of the Pandemic
The pandemic reached Europe between 1347 and 1351, spreading rapidly along trade routes and ports and causing mass mortality, social upheaval, and long-term demographic change.
Scale and Impact
Estimated death rates varied by region, but many historians and demographers place overall European mortality at roughly one‑third of the population, with local losses sometimes far higher; the population decline led to labour shortages, economic shifts, and profound cultural and religious effects.
How It Spread
The disease was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and likely spread via infected fleas on rodents and by person‑to‑person transmission in pneumonic form; poor sanitation and crowded medieval towns accelerated its spread across Eurasia and North Africa.
Long-term Legacy
The Black Death reshaped European society by altering labour relations, prompting technological and economic change, and influencing art, religion, and public health responses for centuries after the initial outbreak.
Quick related Facts
- Date: mid-14th century (circa 1347–1351)
- Cause: Yersinia pestis (bubonic and pneumonic forms)
- Estimated mortality: roughly one‑third of Europe’s population, varying by region
- Consequences: major demographic, economic, and cultural changes