Quote:
Originally Posted by vixticator
what are some of the largest natural disasters in the pre-industrial age?
Bubonic Plague wiped out nearly half of the Mediterranean world's population in the 6th century, effectively gutting the population and economy of a resurgent Roman (Byzantine) Empire and clearing the way for Western "barbarian" kingdoms and Islamic Empires in the Middle East (which capitalized on the decline of both the Byzantine and Sassanid Empires). The plague returned in the 14th century (the "Black Death") and wiped out about 1/3 of Europe, causing a profound labor shortage and increasing social mobility that arguably helped make the Renaissance possible. Both plagues had a profound effect outside of Europe as well. The Black Death made it possible for the Ming to overthrow the Mongol Yuan Dynasty in China as well.
In 1755, a massive earthquake and tsunami practically destroyed the city of Lisbon, killing possibly over 50,000 people. That disaster is both enormous in scope and seems rather timely now.