Analysis Of Justinian's Great Plague

The pandemic of this plague,known as the Justinianic Plague by the later generations,is one of the most deadly epidemics in the human history.But the relevant studies made by some historians on the Eastern Roman Empire are not among the major issues.Some scholars even cast much doubt on how severe it was.They think the contemporary researches have depended so much on the inaccurate documents and reference materials that they exaggerated the effect this plague had on people and that it was not as severe as it was imagined.Their opinions are controversial among related researchers and scholars.By analyzing and confirming the latest archaeological and documentary materials,the author don't think their views are solid enough and hold the belief that the Justinianic Plague is such a destructive epidemic instead of a common historical occurrence which don't need to be described in detail.Up till now,where the Pestilence first originated from has been a open topic in the international academic circles.Based on different research methods,the conclusions they draw tend to vary greatly.At present,there exist three mainstream statements.That is originating from Asia or Africa or the prairies in Asia and Europe.Combining the historical documents and modern studies and meanwhile according to the characteristics of the disease and the routes of its spread,the writer agree that pestilence is more consistent with the statement of originating from Africa logically.As far as the Eastern Roman Empire was concerned,the Justinianic Plague was a real catastrophy.During the century,the frequent epidemics not only led to the decline of a large population,but also made the tax income,which was the main source of the empire's financial revenue,decreased sharply,not to mention the huge cost of war and construction.The government had to introduce the regulations and rules which were more beneficial to famers in order to maintain the agricultural stability.Furthermore,the plague had also an influence on the troops as well as its reserve forces the most valuable resources for the Empire.The abilities to take control over the newly reclaimed land were made worse.Therefore,when encountering invaders,they were less likely to defend themselves.Observing the coined money from this period,you'll find the purity and quality of these coins dropped at a different degree,no matter whether it is a gold coin or a copper one.As an official religion,Christianity was in its transforming period in the sixth century.There is no doubt that the Pestilence accordingly had an influence on both the religious belief and its forms of expression.The Empire quickly converted itself from its early ruling stage characteristic of classicism to its late Justinianic times-Byzantine Society where religions and their atmosphere dominated the whole country.Of course,the Pestilence played a special part in this convertion.By influencing the society and its cultures,the Justinianic Plague together with other elements belonging to this certain period have contributed to the realization of the Eastern Roman Empire from its early period to its middle period in history.Eventually,the Byzantine Empire which is quite known to us,came into being.