The Black Death The Black Death was undoubtedly one of the most devastating diseases to occur during the Middle Ages. The Black Death, also known as the Bubonic Plague, was a worldwide epidemic that caused the deaths of over 20 million people across Europe (Velenzdas). People of this period had no idea about the cause of the plague, but they were well aware of the telltale symptoms that accompanied the infection. There were many "cures" for epidemics, however only a small percentage are known to have been successful. Although the Black Death is considered by many to be the most devastating pandemic in history, some believe that it ultimately led to the Renaissance and began a revolution in the arts and sciences (Cantor 22-23). Bubonic plague is caused by the bacterium Yersina Pestis, which commonly infected the rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis, which also served as its host (Velenzdas). Medieval Europe was a time of widespread impurity. Garbage was dumped in the streets, water sources were often polluted, all of which contributed to an overall unhealthy environment. In the countryside, farmers often lived in homes that also housed livestock. For this reason, fleas were found almost everywhere in medieval Europe, infecting those with whom they came into contact. The arrival of the Black Death completely shocked the entire European population. They attributed the cause to the Will of God, due to a simple lack of understanding of the role of fleas and hygiene in the spread of the disease. There were three phases of the Black Death. The first phase included often flu-like symptoms in... middle of the paper... e.g. The plague wiped out entire family lines and caused the loss of many great and important people. However, the end of the Black Death marked a new beginning that apparently may have paved the way towards an "intellectual revolution" (Cantor 25). Despite many clear details that the Black Death was beneficial to humanity, it is still undeniably one of the deadliest and most destructive epidemics in history. Works Cited Bishop, Rebecca. "The Story of the Bubonic Plague". December 2, 2003. December 12, 2004..Cantor, Norman. "In the wake of the plague." New York: The Free Press, 2001. Velenzdas, Demeters. "Plague CBRNE." Electronic medicine. January 15, 2003. December 12 2004..