I've been hammering out some preliminary details for a Greece campaign. I was wondering what was the frequency of plagues, communicable diseases etc. Once a village was infected was procedures were put in place to contain it? Any different diseases/plagues/health tactics for Rome, Egypt, Persia etc? Thanks.
Plagues in the ancient world?
- Thread starter Darklance
- Start date
MeepoTheMighty
First Post
Greek and Roman cities were generally much cleaner and healthier than earlier cities, so their rates of disease were generally much lower. In fact, the average lifespan of a Roman citizen was not much less than what it is today, somewhere around 60-70 years, I believe. Romans had an understanding that disease was somehow linked with dirt, though they didn't know why.
Many Greeks believed that disease was sent by the gods and only gods could cure them. However, medicine was held in high regard. Hippocrates felt that disease was caused by an imbalance in the humors, and that this imbalance was from natural causes. He was probably the first "modern" physician, in that he believed that a well-trained doctor could cure illness through a combination of personal experience and the study of medical writings.
I'm not sure whether the diseased were excluded or isolated from others. Certainly this is the case with lepers, but I really don't know how much that carried over to entire cities. I do know that at several times in history, diseased corpses were used as primitive biological warfare. Simply catapult a few bodies over the walls of the city you're trying to siege, wait a couple weeks, and voila, free city.
You should try looking up some of the works of Hippocrates, Aristotle, or Galen at the library or online, I'm sure a reading of primary sources would be helpful. The link below has a lot of interesting background material as well.
http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/medicine/history/histories/briefhis.html
Many Greeks believed that disease was sent by the gods and only gods could cure them. However, medicine was held in high regard. Hippocrates felt that disease was caused by an imbalance in the humors, and that this imbalance was from natural causes. He was probably the first "modern" physician, in that he believed that a well-trained doctor could cure illness through a combination of personal experience and the study of medical writings.
I'm not sure whether the diseased were excluded or isolated from others. Certainly this is the case with lepers, but I really don't know how much that carried over to entire cities. I do know that at several times in history, diseased corpses were used as primitive biological warfare. Simply catapult a few bodies over the walls of the city you're trying to siege, wait a couple weeks, and voila, free city.
You should try looking up some of the works of Hippocrates, Aristotle, or Galen at the library or online, I'm sure a reading of primary sources would be helpful. The link below has a lot of interesting background material as well.
http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/medicine/history/histories/briefhis.html
I think you would have to set up a chart. Plagues were a population control, the pop would get to a point when a illness would over burden the healers. They just could not take care of every one.
Seasonal illness - 2% pop die
5 year 'plague' - 5% to 15%
50 year Flu - 25% pop die
Man made - 30% to 40% I put this in because in D&D you have evil people that worship the god of plagues
It is interesting to note that the Spartan took power in Geece after Athans was hit with a brain swelling plague that reduced their pop.
Seasonal illness - 2% pop die
5 year 'plague' - 5% to 15%
50 year Flu - 25% pop die
Man made - 30% to 40% I put this in because in D&D you have evil people that worship the god of plagues
It is interesting to note that the Spartan took power in Geece after Athans was hit with a brain swelling plague that reduced their pop.
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