Plagues and infectious diseases have shaken human societies throughout the existence of humanity—sometimes changing the course of history, and at other times leading to the collapse of entire civilizations. From prehistoric times to the present day, major epidemics have left their mark not only through immense human loss, but also through profound social, economic, and political consequences.
Below are 20 epidemics and pandemics that had the most devastating impact in human history, presented in chronological order.
1. Prehistoric epidemic (circa 3000 BCE)
Approximately 5,000 years ago, a prehistoric settlement in northeastern China was destroyed by a massive epidemic. The bodies of the deceased were piled inside burned houses, with no age group spared. This area is now known as Hamin Mangha, and evidence confirms that the village was completely abandoned following the epidemic.
2. The Plague of Athens (430–426 BCE)
During the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta, an epidemic struck the city of Athens, killing an estimated 100,000 people. Historian Thucydides described symptoms such as high fever, throat inflammation, and internal bleeding. The exact nature of the disease remains debated to this day.
3. Antonine Plague (165–180 CE)
Believed to have been brought to the Roman Empire by soldiers returning from campaigns against Parthia, this epidemic was likely smallpox. It caused the deaths of approximately 5 million people and severely destabilized the Roman Empire.
4. Cyprian Plague (250–271 CE)
Described by Saint Cyprian, the Bishop of Carthage, this epidemic caused thousands of deaths per day in Rome alone. Although the exact disease is unknown, it was reportedly accompanied by severe intestinal disorders and internal bleeding.
5. Plague of Justinian (541–542 CE)
This bubonic plague devastated the Byzantine Empire and is estimated to have killed around 10% of the world’s population. Although Emperor Justinian survived the illness, the empire entered a period of decline afterward.
6. The Black Death (1346–1353)
Caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, the Black Death wiped out more than half of Europe’s population. The pandemic weakened the feudal system and transformed labor relations across the continent.
7. Cocoliztli epidemic (1545–1548)
This epidemic in Mexico and Central America claimed the lives of nearly 15 million people. Recent studies suggest the disease was linked to Salmonella paratyphi C.
8. American epidemics (16th century)
Diseases such as smallpox, measles, and others brought by Europeans caused the deaths of up to 90% of the indigenous population, accelerating the collapse of the Aztec and Inca empires.
9. The Great Plague of London (1665–1666)
This epidemic resulted in the deaths of approximately 100,000 people, wiping out nearly 15% of London’s population.
10. The Great Plague of Marseille (1720–1723)
This outbreak led to the death of nearly one-third of the population of Marseille, France.
11. Russian Plague (1770–1772)
The plague in Moscow triggered riots, the murder of religious leaders, and the deaths of more than 100,000 people.
12. Philadelphia Yellow Fever Epidemic (1793)
Spread by mosquitoes, this epidemic caused the deaths of more than 5,000 people.
13. Influenza pandemic (1889–1890)
Thanks to rapidly developing transportation networks, this pandemic spread quickly and resulted in approximately 1 million deaths worldwide.
14. Poliomyelitis epidemic (1916)
This outbreak in the United States primarily affected children, causing thousands of deaths and cases of permanent disability.
15. Spanish Flu (1918–1920)
The Spanish flu infected around 500 million people and caused the deaths of nearly 50 million worldwide.
16. Asian Flu (1957–1958)
Originating in China, this pandemic led to more than 1 million deaths globally.
17. AIDS pandemic (1981–present)
Since its identification, HIV/AIDS has claimed the lives of approximately 35 million people worldwide.
18. H1N1 Swine Flu pandemic (2009–2010)
This global pandemic resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.
19. West African Ebola epidemic (2014–2016)
A total of 28,600 infections and 11,325 deaths were recorded during this outbreak.
20. Zika virus epidemic (2015–present)
Primarily dangerous for pregnant women and unborn babies, the Zika virus spread widely across South and Central America.
Conclusion
Epidemics are an inseparable part of human history. They have caused not only medical crises but also deep social and cultural transformations. Although modern science and healthcare systems are better prepared to confront such threats, history clearly shows that awareness and prevention remain decisive factors in protecting humanity.