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Plagues of the Ancient World

This is a one-time class that will focus on the bubonic plague, the Plague of Athens, and other incidents of plague in the ancient world.
Shannon Jones, Historian, (MA European History)
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:
(57)
Class

What's included

1 live meeting
1 hrs 15 mins in-class hours

Class Experience

US Grade 9 - 12
This class will be in an online lecture format with a slideshow presentation. It is an ideal lecture for those who are interested in either the ancient time period or in the study of diseases. 

In the class, we will look at contemporary accounts of the plagues, how the disease looks under a microscope, and modern investigations into each case. 

Among the plagues we will be covering are: 

The Plague of Athens (430 BC) 
Antonine Plague (165 - 180 AD) 
Plague of Cyprian (251 - c. 270) 

While the class will consist mostly of lecture points, I do highly encourage both discussion and questions in my classes.

Learning Goals

Students will learn about plagues during the ancient world; and the science and archaeology behind the diseases.
learning goal

Other Details

Parental Guidance
Students will be discussing death and diseases. As well as learning about ancient diseases through the scientific study of skeletons.
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Primary Sources that give contemporary accounts of the plagues Arnobius, Adversus Gentes 1.3. Translated by Hamilton Bryce and Hugh Campbell, c. 1885 Pontius of Carthage, Life of Cyprian. Transl. Ernest Wallis, c. 1885 Thucycdides (431 BC) The History of the Peloponnesian War. Secondary Sources – History Books Greighton, Charles. (1891)a A History of Epidemics in Britain (Volume I of II) Harper, Kyle (2017). "Chapter 4: The Old Age of the World". The Fate of Rome: Climate, Disease, and the End of an Empire. Princeton University Press. Kohn, George C. (2007). "Yellow Plague of 664". Encyclopedia of Plague and Pestilence: From Ancient Times to the Present Plague in Seventh Century England (1 August 1997) Oxford Journals Stathakopoulos, D. Ch. (2007) Famine and Pestilence in the late Roman and early Byzantine Empire . "Plague Victims Found: Mass Burial in Athens - Archaeology Magazine Archive". archive.archaeology.org. "Reactions to Plague in the Ancient & Medieval World". World History Encyclopedia Scientific Studies and References Littman, Robert J. (October 2009). "The plague of Athens: epidemiology and paleopathology". CDC WHO
4.8
57reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in History from University of Nebraska at Kearney
I have a Master of Arts in Early European History and I have been teaching on disease history for three years. Additionally, I have worked in the modern emergency medicine field for fifteen years.

Reviews

Live One-Time Class
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$25

per class

Meets once
75 min
Completed by 5 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
3-6 learners per class

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