The global epidemic that spread across Europe in the 14th century is known as the Black Death, or the Bubonic Plague. This devastating pandemic struck in the years 1347 to 1351, wiping out an estimated 25 to 30 million people, which was about one-third of Europe’s population at the time. The disease originated in Asia and traveled along trade routes, spreading rapidly in cities with dense populations. The social, economic, and cultural impacts were profound, leading to labor shortages, shifts in power dynamics, and significant changes in societal structure. The Black Death profoundly influenced European history and laid the groundwork for the Renaissance.