Pox Romana

Originally published on March 11, 2024 (Episode 351)

Introduction

By the reign of Marcus Aurelius, Rome seemed unchallenged in power, wealth, and cultural sophistication. The Pax Romana stretched from Britain and Portugal to Syria and Egypt. Yet at the height of its achievements, Rome was struck by a disease that annihilated its legions and ravaged its cities.

This was the Antonine Plague—perhaps history’s first pandemic. Its origins and diagnosis remain uncertain, but Colin Elliott argues it was both a cause and a consequence of Rome’s decline: a disease that exposed the empire’s fragile foundations and then hastened their collapse.

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About the Guest

Colin Elliott is Associate Professor of History at Indiana University. His research focuses on Roman economic, social, and environmental history. His latest book is Pox Romana: The Plague that Shook the Roman World (Princeton, 2024). He also hosts The Pax Romana Podcast.

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For Further Investigation

• Colin Elliott, Pox Romana: The Plague that Shook the Roman World (Princeton, 2024)

• The Pax Romana Podcast by Colin Elliott

• Related Episodes

  • Tom Holland on, among other things, how the Romans were not like us, and the “golden age” of Rome

  • Mark Bailey on the immediate consequences of the Black Death in England

  • Jamie Belich on the long-term consequences of the Black Death for the world

  • David Potter on disruption and historical disaster

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💬 Listen & Discuss

How much can a pandemic actually change the course of an empire? Was the Antonine Plague Rome’s first great crack—or just a symptom of deeper weaknesses? Share your thoughts in the comments, and send this episode to someone who insists Rome fell only to barbarians.

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