Plague of Athens

The Plague of Athens was a devastating epidemic that struck the city during the Peloponnesian War, around 430-426 BCE. It is believed to have killed a significant portion of Athens' population, possibly up to one-third. The disease caused severe symptoms, including fever, chills, and ulcers, and is thought to have originated from Africa or Asia. The plague weakened the Athenian military and social structure, contributing to the eventual decline of Athens in the war. Thucydides, an ancient historian who survived the outbreak, provided a detailed account of the illness and its impact on Athenian society and morale.