The Justinian Plague and its Effects on the State and Society of the Byzantine Empire.

Résumé

This study aims to determine The nature of the epidemic that broke out in the Byzantine Empire in the year 541 AD. Especially numbers of deaths and its effects on the state and society. A dispute has arisen among researchers over many issues related to this epidemic, such as its origin, spread, diagnosis of symptoms, number of deaths, and its effects on the state and society. This study proved that India is the original origin of the plague of Justinian that was its first appearance in Egypt, then spread to almost all the globe through merchant ships. The plague had serious effects on the empire, the trade movement was disrupted, the financial resources shortened, and agriculture destroyed due to the lack of manpower, and all of this led to high prices, so Emperor Justinian was forced to increase Taxes on the population. Some believe that the plague facilitated the spread of Islam, but this is not true. Because of this epidemic, myths, heresy, looting and robbery were widespread in byzantine society.