Marcus Aurelius and the Antonine Plague's True Toll

Marcus Aurelius: Rome's Philosopher King — Fexingo History · May 18, 2026 · 5m · transcript

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the devastating impact of the Antonine Plague on the Roman Empire during Marcus Aurelius's reign. Drawing on accounts from Galen and Cassius Dio, they piece together the likely disease — smallpox or perhaps measles — and trace its origins from the army returning from the East. They discuss how the plague crippled the military, strained the economy, and shaped Marcus's philosophical outlook as recorded in the Meditations. The conversation also touches on archaeological evidence from the 'plague pits' near Rome and the long-term…