Antonine

Antonine Plague is a pandemic that affected the Roman Empire in the late 2nd century AD, during the reign of the Antonine Dynasty. It is believed to have been either smallpox or measles, although the true cause remains unknown. This pandemic had devastating effects on the Roman Empire, significantly impacting its military and economic capabilities.

History

The Antonine Plague, also known as the Plague of Galen, began in AD 165 and lasted until AD 180. The pandemic is named after the Antonine Dynasty, which was ruling the Roman Empire at the time. The disease was brought back to Rome by soldiers returning from the Near East around the winter of AD 165/166. The pandemic claimed the lives of millions of people, including two Roman emperors: Lucius Verus, who died in 169, and his co-regent who ruled until 180, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, whose family name, Antoninus, has become associated with the pandemic.

Symptoms and Impact

The symptoms of the Antonine Plague included fever, sore throat, diarrhea, and, if the patient lived long enough, pus-filled sores. This suggests that the plague was either smallpox or measles, but the true cause remains unknown. The disease was highly contagious and often fatal, with a mortality rate estimated at around 25%.

The Antonine Plague had a profound effect on the Roman Empire's workforce, depleting the military and causing a labor shortage in the countryside. This led to a rise in the price of labor and a drop in the value of land. The plague also had a significant impact on the Roman psyche, contributing to a shift away from the pagan gods towards the Christian faith.

Legacy

The Antonine Plague marked the end of a period of relative peace and prosperity for the Roman Empire known as the Pax Romana. The pandemic also marked a significant shift in the religious landscape of the empire, as the devastation caused by the plague led many to convert to Christianity.

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