Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! ⁠⁠⁠

This is an episode about a plague that killed up to 100 million people by the time it was done—as many as 60% of its victims. It’s the first documented occurrence of a pandemic that we have, and it’s the first documented outbreak of the deadlyYersinia pestis. No, we're not talking about the Black Death of Medieval Europe. We're talking about the Plague of Justinian.

The Plague of Justinian was just one part of the fallout of the global volcanic eruption of 536 AD. Three eyewitness accounts have survived--and, in the grand tradition of this podcast, we decided to read them to you whilst Yule-level drunk. Buckle up. It is a wild, plague-tastic ride.

Sponsors and Advertising

This episode was brought to you by Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free, sell clothes you no longer wear, and keep everything you earn.

This podcast is a member of Airwave Media podcast network. Want to advertise on our show? Please direct advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podden och tillhörande omslagsbild på den här sidan tillhör Jenny Williamson and Genn McMenemy. Innehållet i podden är skapat av Jenny Williamson and Genn McMenemy och inte av, eller tillsammans med, Poddtoppen.