Disease in Ancient Rome
Maintenance of health in Rome.
While you trip to the ancient Roman Empire will feature many boisterous activities, it is important to recall the health hazards associated with the empire. The diseases found in Rome are quite severe and knowledge of these sicknesses is crucial.
Serving as home for a large population as well as a large trade destination, ancient Rome is a hub of sickness, in that almost every disease can some how reach the center of the empire and continue to spread. A variety of infection traveled to Rome, while some more devastating than others.
Malaria may be the most predominant and deadly disease throughout the course of the empire and is responsible for many deaths in ancient Rome. The major river, the Tiber, often floods, providing a suitable area to house malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Usually, healthy civilians do not die from the disease, but most elders and children do pass if infected with malaria. In fact, one out of every ten people affected by the disease do die due to the illness.
In addition to Malaria, other diseases are present within the empire, resulting in the ultimate way to divide society; the strong survived and the weak die. These diseases include the Bubonic plague, measles, tuberculosis, small pox, and bronchitis. The significance of the outcome of the sicknesses has to do with the fact that disease comes with a sense of mystery. The citizens of Rome, or of the ancient world for that matter, do not have any knowledge of the spread of germs or viral infections. The ultimate sickness came in shocking ways, but never failed to mysteriously devastate the masses.
The Bubonic plague could definitely be called the most feared disease of the ancient world, as it is extremely contagious. This illness had the power to wipe out entire villages in mere days, and its spread was enhanced because Rome is such a crowded place. The other diseases common to ancient Rome continue to kill thousands, and the large population aids the spread. Tough nutritious choices, the life of soldiers, and public baths greatly influenced the outcome of these diseases.
Disease plays an epic role in the societal features of Ancient Rome, and may convey a downfall to Rome if a solution is not developed quickly.
Serving as home for a large population as well as a large trade destination, ancient Rome is a hub of sickness, in that almost every disease can some how reach the center of the empire and continue to spread. A variety of infection traveled to Rome, while some more devastating than others.
Malaria may be the most predominant and deadly disease throughout the course of the empire and is responsible for many deaths in ancient Rome. The major river, the Tiber, often floods, providing a suitable area to house malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Usually, healthy civilians do not die from the disease, but most elders and children do pass if infected with malaria. In fact, one out of every ten people affected by the disease do die due to the illness.
In addition to Malaria, other diseases are present within the empire, resulting in the ultimate way to divide society; the strong survived and the weak die. These diseases include the Bubonic plague, measles, tuberculosis, small pox, and bronchitis. The significance of the outcome of the sicknesses has to do with the fact that disease comes with a sense of mystery. The citizens of Rome, or of the ancient world for that matter, do not have any knowledge of the spread of germs or viral infections. The ultimate sickness came in shocking ways, but never failed to mysteriously devastate the masses.
The Bubonic plague could definitely be called the most feared disease of the ancient world, as it is extremely contagious. This illness had the power to wipe out entire villages in mere days, and its spread was enhanced because Rome is such a crowded place. The other diseases common to ancient Rome continue to kill thousands, and the large population aids the spread. Tough nutritious choices, the life of soldiers, and public baths greatly influenced the outcome of these diseases.
Disease plays an epic role in the societal features of Ancient Rome, and may convey a downfall to Rome if a solution is not developed quickly.