Welcome to A History of Pandemics

While the Columbian Exchange is mostly related to the trading of food, animals, and culture between Europe and the Americas, there is also one other thing that was exchanged too - disease. After the colonization of the New World, diseases such as smallpox, carried by European colonizers, ravaged the Indigenous populations of the Americas. In this episode, we will explore the background of colonization, what smallpox is, and examine the tragedy of the Siege of Fort Pitt. Music "Al Andalus - Shane Ivers" is under a Creative Commons ( cc-by ) license Music from Silverman Sound: https://www.silvermansound.com/ Music: "Kevin MacLeod - Sardana" Promoted by Incompetech: https://youtu.be/Xohu_aq8oqk

1 Mar 202123min

The Plague of Justinian was the first documented pandemic in history which arguably brought the downfall of the Byzantine Empire. This outbreak is also the predecessor of the Black Death, as they both share the same causative agent: the plague, also known as yersinia pestis. Join Megan in this episode as she uncovers one of the most infamous outbreaks in antiquity.

4 Feb 202117min