Some people believe it was sent by God to punish the sins of the world. First recognized in 542 AD, the plague swept from Egypt through Asia Minor and Europe on a path of destruction, killing more than 100 million in count... more »less outbreaks and plunging the world into the Dark Ages. Today, much is known about this ancient scourge, and modern medicine is largely able to contain it. But its origins remain unclear, and there is always the threat that a new, disease-resistant strain could once again prove to be a major threat to mankind. The Scourge of the Black Death is a comprehensive look at the deadliest disease to ever strike mankind. Historians trace its incredible, apocalyptic spread and detail the sweeping changes it forced. Scientists including Dr. Kenneth L. Gage, Plague Section Chief at the Center for Disease Control explain how the disease lives, spreads and kills, and reveal the latest breakthroughs in the ongoing battle to contain it. And incredible archival art, artifacts and accounts, along with location footage from throughout Europe, bring the horrific years of the plague's dominance to life.
In Search of History
Scourge of the Black Death
Starting in 1348, the bubonic plague ravaged the continents of Europe and Asia, killing an estimated forty million people. Victims suffered a horribly painful death characterized by fever and dying flesh. Looking to religion, superstition and quackery, people tried to understand and prevent infection from a disease whose origins were a mystery. In Search of History unravels the mystery of the Black Death and its mysterious origins. Scourge of the Black Death would be useful for classes on World History, Science and Medicine, World Culture and Folklore. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.
Vocabulary
? calamity
? carnage
? catastrophe
? catastrophic
? contemporary
? flourish
? forsaken
? horrific
? inadvertently
? macabre
? necrosis
? ominous
? pestilence
? pneumonic
? portent
? quarantine
? random
? repugnant
? succumb
? virulent
Discussion Questions
1. The Black Death did not discriminate in its choice of victims. How was the plague democratic?
2. What is superstition? What was the role of superstition in the plague? What superstitions can you identify today?
3. Although there is no indisputable proof of how the plague reached Europe, historians have their theories. How do historians theorize the origins of the plague in Europe?
4. What was the role of religion in people's beliefs about the plague?
5. The bubonic plague was called the Black Death. Why was it given this name? How is this name both a physical and psychological characteristic of the plague?
6. What were some of the symptoms of the bubonic plague?
7. Europeans chose Saint Sebastian as the patron saint of the Black Death. How did St. Sebastian come to be associated with the Black Death?
8. Compare people's responses to the Black Death with some of the present-day responses to AIDS.
9. What were some of the attempts made by people to survive the plague and/or protect themselves from the plague?
10. Physicians treating plague victims donned some bizarre costumes. Why did these physicians resort to wearing bird-like masks?
11. A religious group known as the Flagellants formed as a response to the plague. Who were the Flagellants? How did they try to stem the tide of the plague?
Extended Activities
1. On a world map, highlight the areas where the plague occurred.
2. Write an essay in which you discuss and compare the bubonic plague with modern-day plagues such as the Ebola virus and Aids.« less
Genres:Television, Educational, Documentary Sub-Genres:Television, Educational, History Studio:A&E Home Video Format:DVD - Color - Closed-captioned DVD Release Date: 12/27/2005 Original Release Date: 01/01/2005 Theatrical Release Date: 01/01/2005 Release Year: 2005 Run Time: 0hr 50min Screens: Color Number of Discs: 1 SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 5 MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated) Languages:English
