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New Study Reinterprets Black Death Insights from 14th Century

11/6/2025

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Summary

Story summary

New research from the University of Exeter argues that misconceptions about the Black Death's spread stem from misinterpreting a 14th-century poet Ibn al-Wardi's work.
The maqama, written during the 1348-1349 plague, personifies the Plague as a trickster and has been linked to the 'Quick Transit Theory' of Eurasian movement.
The study argues the work should not be taken literally, as it reflects moral and spiritual themes rather than factual history.

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Story summary

New research from the University of Exeter argues that misconceptions about the Black Death's spread stem from misinterpreting a 14th-century poet Ibn al-Wardi's work.
The maqama, written during the 1348-1349 plague, personifies the Plague as a trickster and has been linked to the 'Quick Transit Theory' of Eurasian movement.
The study argues the work should not be taken literally, as it reflects moral and spiritual themes rather than factual history.