Thomas Sprat
The Plague of Athens, which hapned in the second year of the Peloponnesian Warre
First described in Greek by Thucydides; then in Latin by Lucretius. Now attempted in English
"The Plague of Athens, which hapned in the second year of the Peloponnesian Warre" by Tho. Sprat is a historical account written in the mid-17th century. The book provides a detailed exploration of the devastating plague that afflicted Athens during the Peloponnesian War. It chronicles the suffering and chaos experienced by the Athenians as the disease ravaged their city. The text captures the harrowing experience of the plague's onset and its impact on the social fabric of Athenian life. Sprat draws extensively from Thucydides' original Greek account and Lucretius' Latin works to convey the horror and despair of the illness. The narrative vividly describes the physical symptoms of the disease, the overwhelmed healthcare system, and the psychological toll on the population. It highlights a breakdown of societal norms, as fear and desperation led to a loss of faith in divine intervention and a rise in moral decay among the citizens. Through poetic language and poignant imagery, Sprat illustrates the plague's role not just as a physical illness but as a metaphor for human suffering and the fragility of civilization.