Colin Elliott, an economic and social historian, discusses the Antonine Plague in Ancient Rome and its impact on society and military capability. They explore Marcus Aurelius' perspective, religious interpretations, and potential parallels to our own pandemic. The conversation covers the limited sources of information, the peculiar snake-like creature known as Sweetie, and the promotion of individuals from lower social classes during the plague.
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Quick takeaways
The Antonine Plague caused widespread devastation and fear in ancient Rome, affecting all social classes.
Superstition and religious belief were pervasive during the plague, with people seeking magical spells and prayers for protection and cure.
The military played a significant role in the spread of the plague, as the movement of soldiers accelerated transmission and created vacancies in political and military positions.
Deep dives
The Antonine Plague: A Deadly and Mysterious Disease
The Antonine Plague, also known as the plague of Marcus Aurelius, was a new and highly transmissible disease that swept through the Roman Empire in the 2nd century AD. It affected numerous cities, including Rome, and infected people from all social classes. Symptoms included fever, ulcers in the throat, black stools, foul breath, and a pustular rash. While the exact cause of the plague is unknown, it is believed to be a variant of a pox virus. The disease lasted for at least 10 years and possibly longer, causing widespread devastation and fear.
Superstition and the Search for Answers
In response to the plague, the Roman society turned to religious belief and superstition. People sought magical spells, charms, and prayers to ward off the disease and find a cure. It was believed that the gods were angry and that impiety had caused the plague. Doomsday cults, charlatans, and fevered prophecies spread, promising salvation or protection from the disease. The Roman society was gripped by anxiety and uncertainty, leading to a widespread embrace of superstition as a means of seeking solace and control amidst the pandemic.
Military Implications and Promotion of New Leaders
The military played a significant role in the spread of the plague. The movement of thousands of soldiers across the empire as a result of wars and military campaigns accelerated the transmission of the disease. The military camps, with their close quarters and unfavorable conditions, became hotspots for infection and death. Additionally, the plague's impact on Roman society created vacancies in political and military positions. The need for replacements led to the accelerated promotion of individuals from lower ranks, as many senior officials and military commanders succumbed to the disease.
Marcus Aurelius' Stoic Response to the Plague
During the plague outbreaks in ancient Rome, Marcus Aurelius displayed remarkable emotional resilience and stoicism. While others panicked and feared the wrath of the gods, Marcus remained calm and rational. He viewed disease and death as natural occurrences, comparing them to the changing seasons. Instead of obsessing over health or blaming the gods, Marcus focused on practical measures to mitigate the effects of the plague. He implemented laws to regulate the disposal of corpses and provided state funds for the funerals of the poor. Marcus approached the plague with a stoic detachment, displaying his ability to remain emotionally resilient in the face of a devastating epidemic.
The Impact of the Plague on Roman Society and History
Beyond its deadly toll, the plague had profound religious, social, and cultural repercussions on ancient Rome. The epidemic instilled a sense of panic and fear, leading to religious fervor and the search for someone or something to blame. The crisis prompted societal disruptions, including financial crises, debasement of coinage, wars, and criminal gang activities. While crises of various natures would likely have still occurred, the plague intensified and compressed the multiple challenges faced by Rome under Marcus Aurelius' rule. By studying the context and historical perspective, readers gain a deeper understanding of Marcus Aurelius' stoic philosophy as he navigated through this age of anxiety.
In this episode, I speak with Colin Elliott, Associate Chair in the Department of History at Indiana University. He describes himself as an economic and social historian with an interest in money, disease and ecology in the ancient Roman world. His latest book, Pox Romana: The Plague that Shook the Roman World was released on 6th Feb, the same day as my Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor. It is currently Amazon’s #1 New Release in Communicable Diseases. Colin is also the host of the Pax Romana Podcast.
Highlights
* What was the Antonine Plague?
* What are our main sources of information on the plague?
* What does Galen have to tell us?
* Can we tell anything at all about the plague or its impact from Marcus’ comments in the Meditations?
* How do you think the plague may have been viewed from a religious perspective? To what extent would it have been interpreted as a punishment from the gods?
* What do you think the social consequences were?
* What do you think the effect of the plague may have been on Rome’s military capability at the time?
* Are there any parallels that can be drawn between Marcus’ pandemic and our own?
* How might Marcus’ reign have gone differently, or how might Rome have fared better, if the plague had never happened?