165–180 CEReputable sourceWell documented
The Antonine Plague
On the timeline · around 165–180 CE ·
What happened
A devastating epidemic — likely smallpox — swept the Roman Empire from about 165 CE, carried by armies returning from the east. Documented by the physician Galen, it killed millions over the following years during the reign of Marcus Aurelius.
Why it matters
The plague strained the Empire's population, army, and economy at the very height of its power, foreshadowing the crises to come.
How we know
The physician Galen described the disease first-hand; modern estimates of the death toll vary widely.
Sources
- World History Encyclopedia. Antonine Plague · Reputable source