23. The Spread of Plagues and Famine
The turmoil following Rome’s fall made Europe vulnerable to disease and famine. Wars, population displacement, and the breakdown of infrastructure left communities exposed to outbreaks and food shortages. Plagues swept through weakened regions, sometimes wiping out entire villages and deepening social despair. As reported by The Lancet, these health crises were both a consequence and a cause of further instability, compounding the hardships of the early medieval era.
