The Plague That Shook The Roman Empire

After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

History Hit

Myths, Folklore, Mystery, History, Ghosts, Society & Culture, Murder, Ufos, True Crime, Paranormal, Supernatural, Serial Killers

4.6 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 14 July 2025

⏱️ 52 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In the 6th century, the Roman Empire was split and its future hung in the balance.

Emperor Justinian dreamed of restoring it to its former glory. That was until the first great plague devastated Constantinople.

Thousands died, bodies were piled in the streets - even the Emperor fell ill.

How did this effect ambitions to restore the Empire to its former glory? And how did citizens react to this deadly disease?

Joining Anthony and Maddy is Kyle Harper, historian and author of The Fate of Rome: Climate, Disease.

Edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Stuart Beckwith. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.

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All music from Epidemic Sounds.

After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello everyone. It's us, your hosts Maddie Pelling and Anthony Delaney.
0:04.2	But before we begin the show, we want to ask for a few seconds of your time.
0:08.2	If you're enjoying After Dark, and we love you, if you are, we would love you just a little bit more.
0:13.5	If you could vote for us in the listeners choice category at the British Podcast Awards.
0:18.0	So go to the show notes now, click the link and just then search for After Dark.
0:23.2	Fill in your name and your email and don't forget to confirm. They will send you an email.
0:27.2	You need to confirm. The whole process probably takes about 30 seconds.
0:30.4	If you've already voted, we are so, so grateful. If you haven't, stop what you are doing right now.
0:35.4	Vote for us before you enjoy this show.
0:40.5	The weather. Tomorrow, expect a biting cold front. Hmm, how naughty. I wonder what I'll be
0:47.2	wearing or taking off. The night will be wild and untamed. Expect heavy, lashing rain that'll soak you
0:54.1	to the skin. By Monday,
0:56.2	temperatures will rise slowly but surely reaching their peak in the afternoon. Not in the mood for
1:02.6	miserable weather? Fly cheaply to Turkey with Sun Express. Sun Express, nonstop sunshine.
1:12.2	Hello and welcome to After Dark. I'm Anthony.
1:15.4	And I'm Maddie.
1:16.4	And today we are embarking on the first in our mini-series of some of the deadliest and darkest
1:22.0	plagues in history, starting with the Justinian Plague that hit the once great Roman Empire
1:27.4	during its final fight for survival.
1:30.3	Without further ado, let the fun begin.
1:37.6	It came in with the grain ships, boats from Egypt, heavy with wheat to feed the Empire's capital,
1:45.0	but, tucked in the holds beneath the sacks and ropes, were rats, and riding on their backs, the end of the world.
	...

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