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The Impact Of The Black Death On Florence

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In the spring of 1348, the bubonic plague, also known as the Black Death, arrived in Florence and swept across the city, leaving a trail of death and devastation in its wake. Florence was one of the most prominent cities in Europe at the time, with a thriving economy, a rich cultural heritage, and a population that had grown rapidly in recent years. However, the arrival of the Black Death brought all of this to a grinding halt. In a matter of months, the city's population was decimated, with an estimated one-third of its inhabitants succumbing to the disease. The impact of the Black Death on Florence was so severe that it would shape the city's demographic makeup, economy, and culture for centuries to come. The Black Death was the greatest …show more content…

The decision by the city leaders to prohibit people from Pisa or Genoa from entering Florence shows they were aware of the first points of the plague's entry into Italy (Armstrong). The plague changed the salaries of many people, living standards, and the progress of ideas. There was a rise in unemployment and many businesses failed, one of the reasons being lack of labor. It had a huge impact on social, economic, religious, and cultural aspects of the places it spread. In order to prevent pestilence, several European cities introduced new laws. These precautions had some significance, but they were challenging to carry out and did little to keep out the rats and fleas that were the main disease carriers (Currie 50). To prevent it from spreading in Florence, the city streets were cleaned, ill travelers were refused entry, the authorities instructed all inhabitants to keep their houses, streets, and squares empty and not allow animals entry into the city, and butchers were mandated to strict hygienic regulations. The impacts of all these aspects contributed to the emergence of the Renaissance in …show more content…

The people of Italy thought that the plague was a way to punish people who had been immoral, selfish, wicked, and greedy during their lifetime. The people of medieval Europe saw God as a powerful force in daily life, not as a remote, uninvolved figure (Currie 50). Some Christians turned their anger at the Catholic Church. In fact, many local priests either died of the plague or abandoned their parishes when it struck. People started practicing severe methods to show their devotion to God. Being a deeply religious Christian community where religion permeated all facets of daily life was a significant aspect of Florentine life

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