Roman Fever: Malaria, Transalpine Travelers and the Eternal City

Rome's allure to European visitors and its resident malaria species impacted the historical development of Europe, with two periods of greatest impact being the medieval German Empire and the Protestant Reformation. This book explores the environmental and biological factors at play and tells the story of how the world's capital became the graveyard of nations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2022
Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc

Rome, a city of immense historical significance, has been the muse of artists, the coronation stage of German emperors, the distant dream of pilgrims, and the seat of the Roman popes for over 1500 years. However, its allure also extended to the deadly strain of P. falciparum malaria, which posed a significant threat to northern Europeans. As a result, Rome became a destination for countless unacclimated transalpine Europeans, leading to a tragic period of death from 500 to 1850 AD. This book delves into the impact of Rome's allure and resident malaria species on the historical development of Europe, examining the environmental and biological factors at play. It focuses on two critical periods when malaria had the greatest impact on the continent: 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 world's capital became the graveyard of nations.

Weight: 417g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781476686554