The years between the years 1346 to 1353 witnessed one of the most catastrophic events in the history of mankind. The cause of this catastrophic event was none other than the Black death disease which much of the western hemisphere during that time. During the period of the plague, one thing was a common activity and occurrence and that was the fact that the people of that time grew quite accustomed to carrying out dead bodies with the intent of having them buried. Everywhere you turn to, there was always one funeral or the other happening, there were graves basically everywhere for those who could afford it, while those who were not all that financially stable had to make do with deep pits where bodies were dumped.

The catastrophic scale

There were accounts of some cities losing up to 60% of its entire population to the plague. Accounts of a place like Venice showed that there were deaths of enormous proportions of up to 60%, same also was accounted In Sienna. The plague was recorded to have originated from the epidemic of bubonic plague, a disease that takes its root from the disease bacterium Yersinia pestis which finds its way in the population of rodents that are wild especially where they find themselves in great numbers. The area where you find these pathogens was termed the plague focus. one major way the plague found itself in certain places was simply through ships. The rats found themselves crossing regions where they would hitherto not have been able to, even in situation s where the distances were much and the infested rats die, the fleas found a way of surviving until they found a new host. It, therefore, suffices to say that the plague was, in fact, an insect-borne disease.

Russia conquered by the plague

Historically speaking, Russia has always found a way of withstanding enemies, for instance, Hitler could not breach the Russians, neither could Napoleon conquer them, however, the Black death was able to achieve what this man and more could not. It first found its way into the territory of Novgorod in the later parts of the year 1351 and then found itself In Pskov before the winter came and subdued the epidemic; the meaning of this is that the disease did not break out in full proportion until the early spring part of 1352. By the year 1353, Moscow was in disarray, and somehow, the disease found its way to the border of the Golden Horde. From Elbin, and a part of Germany, the plague found itself in Poland.

Exemptions

As catastrophic as the scale of the plague may appear, it is quite surprising to note that there were some regions of the world that actually found a way to not be a victim of the plague. Chief among this category are Iceland and Finland, the reasons for this could probably be due to their little population and also maybe because of their limited contact with the outside world as at then.
In conclusion, it is important to point out that the dramatic reduction in the population of Europe all but became a lasting and characteristic feature of the medieval society as other epidemics found a way to follow suit. The events of the great plague that occurred between 1346-53 are like never been seen and therefore will always be an integral part of history.

There is absolutely no way historical record books will be complete without at least devoting a page to talk about the Minoans. The Minoan civilization holds a long-term reputation of been the foremost great Bronze Age society, however, despite the fact that they possess a legacy that has been long celebrated; it suffices to say that they are a people with a culture that is apparently mysterious. For instance, the language that was spoken in Crete at that time is not really known, and also, the texts and scripts that come from the early Minoan civilization have found a way to elude attempts at translation for quite a long while. It is, therefore, no surprise that the civilization of the Minoans has always found a way to be linked to mythology.

Who exactly where the Minoans?

It is claimed and believed by some scholars that the ancestors of the Minoans actually originated from the Northern part of Africa, however, in recent times, fresh fact has emerged via scientific investigation that there exist at least a dozen other forefathers for the Minoan population. Scientific data obtained show that the civilization of the Minoans was made up more of Europeans rather that people from the outside.

The origin of the name “Minoan

The terminology has its root in the name of the mythical King Minos, it also helped to describe the pottery that was obtainable in that period of time. Minos had a link with Greek mythology especially with the Minotaur and labyrinth.

Minoan trade history

The period of the Minoans saw extensive trade between Crete, Mediterranean and Aegean settlements especially as you approach the eastern flank. By the works of the artists and traders, the cultural influence of the Minoans found a way to reach beyond Crete to Egypt’s old kingdom, Cyprus, and the coast of the Levantine.

The end of the Minoan Era

Several factors in their own little way led to the end of the Minoans one of which is the activity of volcanic eruption, also, factors such as earthquakes and tsunamis could have had their own effect on the infrastructure and fleet of the Minoans. Also, these factors could have greatly altered the climate, politics and economy of the Minoans. However, the total end of the Minoan culture cannot be put absolutely on the shoulder of this factors, the reason for this being the fact that they seemed to have developed a thick skin that saw them survive worst eras.
One other factor that may have caused the decimation of the era may have been that of the attack and occupation of the region by the Mycenae’s. Therefore the combined effect of the volcanic eruption that seemed to decimate the Naval fleet as well as the invasion by the Mycenae’s seemed to all but seal the fate of the Minoans as far as history is concerned.

In conclusion, the hanging question that bothers on the annihilation of the civilization of the Minoans do not generate clear enough answers and this may just be the reason why pre-historic Crete seems to be shrouded in mystery and a sort of seductive enchantment.