249–262 CEReputable sourceWell documented
The Plague of Cyprian
On the timeline · around 249–262 CE · The Ancient Plagues
What happened
Beginning around 249 CE, a devastating pestilence swept the Roman Empire for some fifteen to twenty years. Named for St. Cyprian, the bishop of Carthage who described it, the plague at its height reportedly killed as many as 5,000 people a day in Rome. Its cause is uncertain — smallpox, a viral haemorrhagic fever, and pandemic influenza have all been suggested.
Why it matters
Striking during the chaotic 'Crisis of the Third Century,' the Plague of Cyprian drained the manpower of Rome's army and farms and deepened the turmoil that nearly tore the empire apart. Christians who nursed the sick won admiration and converts, helping the new faith spread.
Sources
- World History Encyclopedia. Plague of Cyprian, 250–270 CE · Reputable source
Related timelines
- Ancient Rome → — Plague during the Crisis of the Third Century