Ancient Roman Pandemics Linked to Cold Waves?

The history of the Roman Empire is being seen in a new light through a recent study. This research highlights a surprising link between climate variations and the great pandemics that struck this civilization. Let's explore together how periods of severe cold could have been triggers for these tragic epidemics.


Researchers, including Roman historian Kyle Harper from the University of Oklahoma and paleo-oceanographer Karin Zonneveld from the University of Bremen, centered their study on sediments retrieved from the Gulf of Taranto. These sediments, originating from rivers such as the Po, hold the secrets of the heart of the Roman Empire.

The teams used multiple indicators, including volcanic glass from known eruptions, to accurately date the sediment layers. These indicators reveal a timeline extending from 200 BC to AD 600, encompassing the late Roman Republic to the last days of the Roman Empire.

To reconstruct temperature and precipitation variations, scientists relied on dinoflagellates, tiny organisms whose life cycle is heavily influenced by these two factors. The varied presence of these species over the years allowed to draw a picture of the climate conditions of the time.

The results are revealing: after a stable climate period between 200 and 100 BC, a series of brief but intense coolings marked the Roman era. These cold periods surprisingly correspond to times when great pandemics struck the Empire.

The first of these coincidences occurs between AD 160 and 180, with the Antonine Plague or Plague of Galen, brought into the empire by Roman armies returning from Western Asia. Historians believe it was smallpox or measles.

Another noticeable cooling, between AD 245 and 275, coincides with the Plague of Cyprian, a disease characterized by vomiting and sometimes rotting of the limbs.

Finally, after AD 500, another significant cooling coincides with the beginning of the Justinian Plague in AD 541, precursor of the Black Death that would devastate Europe in the 14th century.

Researchers mention several reasons why epidemics and climate might be linked, ranging from ecological changes favoring the transmission of animal diseases to humans, to changes in human resilience. In an agricultural society like ancient Rome, cold periods could have made it difficult to produce sufficient crops, leading to malnutrition and increasing susceptibility to diseases.

This study offers a fascinating perspective on how climate changes can influence human history, particularly in ancient societies. It underscores the importance of understanding our own vulnerability to current climate changes.