Plague of Justinian
The first plague pandemic: Constantinople loses thousands a day
The first documented plague pandemic appeared at Pelusium in Egypt in 541 and a year later ravaged Constantinople, where thousands died each day. DNA from victims confirmed Yersinia pestis; outbreaks recurred for two centuries.
Wikipedia (Russian) · Wikipedia (English) · 6th century
Did you know
536 is called one of the worst years to be alive: volcanic haze dimmed the sun across the Northern Hemisphere, and five years later the Plague of Justinian began.
Meanwhile around the world (±25 years)
Middle East
- 529–534 Code of Justinian — 12 years earlier
Alive at the time
- Justinian I (aged 59)
- Aryabhata (aged 65)
- Theodora (aged 41)
- Khosrow I (aged 40)