Black Death (Bubonic Plague)

The Black Death, or Bubonic Plague, was a devastating pandemic that struck Europe between 1347 and 1351, caused by the bacterium *Yersinia pestis*. It was transmitted through fleas that lived on rats, spreading quickly in crowded areas. The disease led to symptoms like fever, chills, and painful swellings called buboes. Estimates suggest it killed 25-30 million people, about one-third of Europe's population at the time. The Black Death had profound social, economic, and cultural impacts, reshaping society and leading to changes in labor, healthcare, and perceptions of disease and hygiene.