Roman Fever
Malaria, Transalpine Travelers and the Eternal City

By (author) Benjamin Reilly

ISBN13: 9781476686554

Imprint: McFarland & Co Inc

Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc

Format:

Published: 30/05/2022

Availability: POD

Description
During the last 1500 years, Rome was the inspiration of artists, the coronation stage of German emperors, the distant desire of pilgrims, and the seat of the Roman popes. Yet Rome also lies within the northern range of P. falciparum malaria, the deadliest strain of the disease, against which northern Europeans had no intrinsic or acquired defenses. As a result, Rome lured a countless number of unacclimated transalpine Europeans to their deaths in the period from 500 to 1850 AD. This book examines how Rome's allure to European visitors and its resident malaria species impacted the historical development of Europe. It covers the environmental and biological factors at play and focuses on two of the periods when malaria potentially had the greatest impact on the continent: the heyday of the medieval German Empire and its conflicts with the papacy (c. 800-1300) and the Protestant Reformation (c.1500). Through explorations into the history of religion, empire, disease, and culture, this book tells the story of how the veritable capital of the world became the graveyard of nations.
Preface vii Introduction 1 Part I: Malaria and Rome 1. The Nature of the Beast 8 2. Romulus' Mistake 15 3. Assessing the Threat 25 Part II: Transalpine Europe and the Caput Mundi 4. Grave of Nations 36 5. To Roam/Rome 45 6. Dragon's Lair 55 7. The Christmas Crown 63 8. Brood of Vipers 78 9. Imperium's Price 93 10. Jubilee 103 11. Fullness of Power 115 12. From Scandal to Sack 125 13. The Scarlet Whore 139 14. Fork in the Road 147 15. Homecoming 157 16. Last Gasps 168 Conclusion 181 Chapter Notes 185 Bibliography 201 Index 209
  • Diseases & disorders
  • European history
  • Social & cultural history
  • General (US: Trade)
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Weight:417.00
List Price: £39.95