Plague of Justinian (jan 1, 541 – jan 1, 542)

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The Plague of Justinian was a pandemic that afflicted the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire, especially its capital Constantinople, the Sassanid Empire, and port cities around the entire Mediterranean Sea. After the initial outbreak in 541-542, it recurred several times over the following 200 years and was one of the deadliest plagues in history. Researchers have found that the cause of the pandemic was Yersinia pestis, the bacterium responsible for bubonic plague. The plague's social and cultural impact during the period of Justinian has been compared to that of the similar Black Death that devastated Europe 600 years after the last outbreak of the Justinian plague. The principal historian during the 6th century, Procopius, viewed the pandemic as worldwide in scope. Genetic studies point to China as having been the primary source of the contagion. The plague returned periodically until the 8th century. The waves of disease had a major effect on the subsequent course of European history. Modern historians named this plague incident after the Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I, who was emperor at the time of the initial outbreak. He contracted the disease himself but survived.

Estimated Deaths: 50,000,000 (~1:6; 16% of total Earth population)

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