In Search of History: Scourge of the Black Death
Name:
Date:
In Search of History
Scourge of the Black Death
Starting in 1348, the bubonic plague ravaged the continents of Europe and Asia, killing an estimated forty
million people. Victims suffered a horribly painful death characterized by fever and dying flesh. Looking to
religion, superstition and quackery, people tried to understand and prevent infection from a disease
whose origins were a mystery. In Search of History unravels the mystery of the Black Death and its
mysterious origins. Scourge of the Black Death would be useful for classes on World History, Science and
Medicine, World Culture and Folklore. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.
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calamity
carnage
catastrophe
catastrophic
contemporary
flourish
forsaken
horrific
inadvertently
macabre
necrosis
ominous
pestilence
pneumonic
portent
quarantine
random
repugnant
succumb
virulent
Discussion Questions
1. The Black Death did not discriminate in its choice of victims. How was the plague democratic?
2. What is superstition? What was the role of superstition in the plague? What superstitions can you
identify today?
3. Although there is no indisputable proof of how the plague reached Europe, historians have their
theories. How do historians theorize the origins of the plague in Europe?
4. What was the role of religion in people's beliefs about the plague?
5. The bubonic plague was called the Black Death. Why was it given this name? How is this name
both a physical and psychological characteristic of the plague?
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www.learn360.com
In Search of History: Scourge of the Black Death
Name:
Date:
6. What were some of the symptoms of the bubonic plague?
7. Europeans chose Saint Sebastian as the patron saint of the Black Death. How did St. Sebastian
come to be associated with the Black Death?
8. Compare people's responses to the Black Death with some of the present-day responses to
AIDS.
9. What were some of the attempts made by people to survive the plague and/or protect themselves
from the plague?
10. Physicians treating plague victims donned some bizarre costumes. Why did these physicians
resort to wearing bird-like masks?
11. A religious group known as the Flagellants formed as a response to the plague. Who were the
Flagellants? How did they try to stem the tide of the plague?
Extended Activities
1. On a world map, highlight the areas where the plague occurred.
2. Write an essay in which you discuss and compare the bubonic plague with modern-day plagues
such as the Ebola virus and Aids.
© AIM Education, INC.
www.learn360.com