5. Death of Livestock
The fifth plague struck Egypt’s livestock, devastating cattle, horses, and other animals. Modern scholars propose several causes, including outbreaks of infectious diseases such as anthrax or rinderpest, both of which have been documented in ancient times. Climate stress—from droughts or flooding—could also have weakened herds, making them more susceptible. Evidence reviewed in Veterinary History shows that large-scale livestock epidemics were not uncommon in the ancient world. This plague likely reflects a combination of environmental and biological factors converging in a vulnerable ecosystem.
