The spread of the Black Death across Europe

The Black Death, a devastating plague, spread across Europe in the late Middle Ages during the 14th century. It was primarily transmitted by fleas on rats, which thrived in crowded, unsanitary conditions. As trade routes expanded, infected ships and caravans brought the disease from Asia to European ports. Major cities quickly became hotspots due to their dense populations. The plague caused widespread panic and death, killing an estimated one-third of Europe's population within just a few years, leading to profound social, economic, and cultural changes across the continent.