The Direct and Indirect Effects of the Justinianic Plague on the Urban Economy of Constantinople

Abstract

The Justinianic Plague ravaged the Eastern Roman Empire from the year 541 AD onwards. The Capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, Constantinople, was greatly affected by this plague. The impacts of the plague forever changed one of history's most important cities.

The aim of this thesis is to question the impacts the plague had on the city and the subsequent ramifications these had. Making use of relevant studies and available evidence, this thesis shall provide insight into how the plague should be applied to the study of urban economics. This thesis shall argue that based on evidence such as first-hand accounts, numismatic evidence, and other available data. These demonstrate how the plague was evidence of a changing of stages in the economic cycle of the city. This change saw the city progress from a stage of peak to contraction which was followed by a shrinking of the economy.