Watching: Italy During the Black Death

Overview

In the 14th century, Siena thrived until the Black Death struck in 1348, decimating its population from 50,000 to 25,000. Agnolo di Tura, a shoemaker, chronicled the societal collapse and fear surrounding the epidemic. This documentary explores the history and impact of Yersinia pestis, tracing its origins to Kyrgyzstan and examining contemporary outbreaks, emphasizing ongoing threats from epidemics and recent instances of the plague in various countries.