Episode 423: The Plague of Athens
Summary
This episode of Half-Arsed History examines the Plague of Athens (430–427 BCE) during the Peloponnesian War. The host discusses how overcrowding from refugees fleeing Spartan invasion created ideal conditions for the disease, leading to massive death tolls and societal collapse. Drawing on Thucydides’ accounts, the episode explores the plague’s symptoms, the breakdown of social norms, and the ongoing debate over its medical identity.
Topics discussed
Intro, ads, and host update from Copenhagen
Context: The Peloponnesian War and overcrowding
Background: Athens, Sparta, and the Delian League
The Spartan invasion and retreat behind the Long Walls
The Plague arrives: Thucydides' account and initial reactions
Social and religious breakdown in Athens
Economic chaos and the tragedy of the compassionate
Identifying the disease: Symptoms and potential causes
Immunity, Pericles' fall, and the Spartan siege
Long-term consequences and archaeological evidence
Outro: Holiday apology, book release, and Patreon
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